Duluth Marshall's Max Berrisford catches for a sturdy group of pitchers led by, in the foreground, Owen Marsolek. (Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Longtime Star Tribune sportswriter Ron Haggstrom forecasts which teams will advance to the semifinals and championship games of the high school baseball state championships and picks a winner in all four classes.

Class 4A

The bracket

In the quarterfinals: The top three seeds— No. 1 Cretin-Derham Hall (20-4), No. 2 Andover (19-6) and No. 3 Minnetonka (15-9) — all cruise in the first round while No. 4 Farmington (19-5) edges No. 5 Edina (17-7) in the best matchup.

In the semifinals: Farmington has the most pitching depth of the four remaining teams. However, Cretin-Derham Hall has too much talent to fall in this one. There will be plenty of runs in the other matchup, with Andover’s top five hitters making the difference in a high-scoring affair.

The champion: Cretin-Derham Hall is seeking its first state title since 2007, its last state tournament appearance. Coach Buzz Hannahan leads the Raiders to their 12th state crown. Cretin-Derham Hall 6, Andover 3

Class 3A

The bracket

In the quarterfinals: The top seeds in this class will deal with tense moments, with No. 1 Mankato East (21-3) being the exception. The Cougars breeze into the semifinals. No. 2 Totino-Grace (20-7), No. 3 Mahtomedi (16-7) and No. 4 Delano (19-4-1) could have their hands full. Grand Rapids’ lack of offense will prevent a victory over Delano. The top four seeds all advance in this prediction, but don’t be surprised if one or two get knocked off.

In the semifinals: Mankato East and Totino-Grace will prove they are the top two teams and are primed for a showdown. The Cougars won their final two games in the state tournament a year ago and would like to keep that winning streak intact.

The champion: Mankato East has been the best and will prove it. The Cougars seldom win by fewer than three runswins. Mankato East 5, Totino-Grace 2

Class 2A

The bracket

In the quarterfinals: The top two teams, No. 1 Duluth Marshall (21-2) and No. 2 Perham (20-1), are a notch above the rest of the field and will move into the semifinals. The other higher seeds, No. 3 Pine Island (20-4) and No. 4 Glencoe-Silver Lake (20-4), will join them in the second round.

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In the semifinals: The pitching depth of Duluth Marshall and Perham pays off. The matchup everybody wanted to see is on as both roll into the finals.

The champion: The Hilltoppers are built to return to their championship form of 2019. For the Yellowjackets, it will be the third runner-up finish, the others being in 2013 and 2023. Duluth Marshall 3, Perham 2

Class 1A

The bracket

In the quarterfinals: Here’s another class in which the top two seeds, No. 1 Parkers Prairie (22-3) and No. 2 New Ulm Cathedral (21-2), have separated themselves from the rest of the field. They will march on, as will No. 3 South Ridge (19-5) and No. 5 Red Lake County (22-5).

In the semifinals: Parkers Prairie and New Ulm Cathedral have history on their side. Both have appeared in the finals previously and will do so again.

The champion: New Ulm Cathedral won its lone crown in 2005; Parkers Prairie’s only title came in 2017. We’re going back in time. New Ulm Cathedral 4, Parkers Prairie 2