The Austin Greyhounds will face a familiar foe when they open play at the state amateur baseball tournament this weekend.

The Hounds (10-19 overall) will take on the Mankato Twins Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in Shakopee in the first round of the 16-team Class ‘B’ tournament.

Although the teams didn’t play this season — the Hounds haven’t had a lot of success in the past against Mankato.

“In past years we’ve lost to them in the regular season and deep in the playoffs,” Greyhounds manager John Frein said. “This our chance and we’re excited to be playing them in the first round.”

One thing the Hounds have going for them is their ace Dave Meyer, who beat Mankato in the postseason last year while pitching for the Blue Sox. Meyer hasn’t faced the Twins as a Greyhound.

“Dave’s had the most success against them,” Frein said. “We’ll roll the dice with him.”

In this year’s tourney, the first round is single elimination so Sunday’s loser will have it’s season over. Frein said his team isn’t worried about losing, but focusing on redemption after not qualifying for state last season.

“We want to redeem ourselves,” he said. “We’re not worried about their team, we’re worried about our team. We’re pumped up and I feel we have some momentum heading into the weekend.”

While the Hounds record is subpar, it’s mostly because they play a tough schedule throughout the year. The Hounds played Class ‘A’ power Minnetonka multiple times and took on Cold Spring, an elite Class ‘B’ team three times.

“We don’t have the best record, but playing those teams helps us get ready for the postseason,” Frein said. “It’s a completely different mentality in the playoffs. It’s almost as if there’s a switch we turn on. The records mean nothing and it’s whoever plays the best when it matters. And it matters right now.”

If the Hounds win on Sunday, they would take on the winner of St. Michael and Duluth in Chaska Saturday, Aug. 23 at 7:30 p.m.

After the first round, the tournament is double elimination.

Besides Mankato and Cold Spring — who the Hounds could face in the third round — Frein said Rochester is another favorite to be in the title game.