Gwinnett's two baseball finalists have a lot more in common than most people think. Wesleyan, which hosts Lovett today in the Class AA final, and Brookwood, which welcomes defending state champion Walton for the Class AAAAA title series, have potent offenses and good pitching, as well as the added benefit of playing at home.

The lineups

Wesleyan's lineup is almost frightening for an opposing pitcher to have to deal with. The big five of Georgia Tech-bound Connor Winn (.511 average, school-record 14 HR, 32 RBI); Georgia-bound Kevin Ruiz (.441, 11 HR, 36 RBI); Florida State-bound James Ramsey (.370, 8 HR); Gordon College-bound Ben Tucker (.393, 25 RBI) and Vanderbilt-bound Grayson Garvin (.416, 9 HR, 34 RBI) are all tough outs. Meanwhile, Max Hightower (.320), Connor Welton (.337) and Brent Pugh (.365) fill out a dangerous lineup.

Brookwood's lineup is as balanced as any team left in the state playoffs. The Broncos have seven hitters averaging over .300 and with 20 or more RBIs, led by North Georgia College and State-bound Jordan Erisman (.409, school-record 14 home runs, 40 RBIs); Ronnie Freeman (.471, 34 RBIs); University of Georgia-bound Chase Hawkins (.441) and the red-hot Ross Heffley (.393, 8 HR, 38 RBIs).

The Broncos are hitting .356 as a team, providing an intriguing Game 1 matchup with Walton ace Mark Pope.

The arms

It's easy to rattle off the names of Hawkins (13-1, 0.74 ERA) and Garvin (7-0, 1.08 ERA), aces for Brookwood and Wesleyan, respectively. But it's the pitchers who follow those two left-handers who give each team favorite status entering today's games.

Alex Beebe and Matt Adams have been fantastic in the No. 2 and 3 roles in the Brookwood rotation. Beebe is 9-1 with an ERA under 2.00, and Adams is 7-0 and picked up the win in the Broncos' second-round clincher against Norcross.

Behind Garvin, sophomore left-hander Devin Stanton is 8-0, including wins in each of the Wolves' four playoff series. Another lefty, Ben Tucker (5-0, 2.31 ERA), along with Brooks Colquitt, healthy after injuries kept him out for most of the season, and Drew Fithian give Wesleyan options on the hill.

Playing at home

Both teams will have the luxury of hosting the state finals in their own backyard. Wesleyan has lost once at Donn Gaebelein Field, and the park's cozy dimensions fit well with the Wolves' power throughout the lineup.

Brookwood's only losses at the Dave Hunter Complex came in the first round against Alpharetta, 4-3 in nine innings, and the second round against Norcross, 1-0. There's lots of room in the outfield, allowing Broncos centerfielder Ryan Lewis to track down flyballs, and Brookwood has the muscle at the plate to get the ball out of the large park.

CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

Class AAAAA

Walton at Brookwood

Friday doubleheader starts at 5 p.m.

Game 3, if necessary, starts Saturday at 6 p.m.

Class AA

Lovett at Wesleyan

Friday doubleheader starts at 4 p.m.

Game 3, if necessary, starts Saturday at 2 p.m.