By DREW GRANTHUM / Sports Writer

Then there were two.

Of all the players with ties to Shelby County in the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament, only two teammates remain in contention for a title.

Mississippi State’s Ben Bracewell and Trevor Fitts, of Chelsea and Helena respectively, hope to keep the Bulldogs’ winning ways going as they head to the College World Series in Omaha.

Bracewell, a 2009 graduate of Briarwood Christian, is a right-handed pitcher for MSU. He has appeared in 20 games this season, posting a 1-1 record with an ERA of 1.48 and a save.  Bracewell has struck out 28 on the year.  He was the 2008 and 2009 Shelby County Reporter All-County Player of the Year.

Fitts, a 2011 graduate of Pelham High and 2010 All-County Player of the Year, is also a right-handed pitcher. He has appeared in 16 games this year, posting an ERA of 2.42 and 19 strikeouts.

In addition to his success on the field, Fitts made several headlines for giving a PowerPoint presentation lobbying for MSU Baseball Coach John Cohen to allow players to grow facial hair outside of just a mustache. According to the Mississippi State Athletic Department website, he was successful in his effort.

The Bulldogs will take on Oregon State in the opening round June 15 at 3 p.m