Just one victory away from their third consecutive Langsdorf League title, the Kenosha Kings couldn’t ask for a better scenario on the mound.

Chadd Ori, the league’s Pitcher of the Year, is coming off a full, five-days rest after turning in his most dominating start of the season as the Kings face Racine Kiwanis in Game 2 of the Langsdorf championship series 7:30 tonight at Simmons Field.

Admission is free.

“Heading back to our home field and playing under the lights is going to be a lot of fun for our team,” Kings’ manager Tim Pulizzano said. “If we can get three or four runs behind Chadd, odds are we have a good chance of bringing home another championship.”

The Kings (32-19) defeated Racine, 7-3, in Tuesday’s opener of the best-of-three series at Horlick Field. Kenosha, a team reliant on its deep pitching staff, erupted for 15 hits and scored all seven runs with two outs.

Ori (7-1) can only hope for similar support tonight. The Carthage right-hander tossed his first complete game with a four-hit gem against rival Genoa City on July 31 at Simmons Field in securing a spot in the Langsdorf championship series.

In that outing, Ori gave up one unearned run in the first inning and didn’t allow a hit past the fourth inning. The Antioch, Ill., native retired 17 of the final 18 hitters he faced and finished with one walk and six strikeouts in the 111-pitch outing.

“That was an extraordinary effort,” Pulizzano said. “That was really something special. All he needs to do (tonight) is stay confident and hit his spots. If he does that he’s going to be successful.”

Even with a loss, Pulizzano still has an ace up his sleeve for a potential Game 3 at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Simmons Field. Jon Olson, a dominating right-hander, still hasn’t pitched in the series. Olson (2-0) is currently away from the team, but would likely return to start Friday’s game if needed.

“I don’t think anyone would argue that he’s our ace,” Pulizzano said.

Pulizzano made somewhat of an interesting choice in starting right-hander Jon Kleinmeyer (2-4) in Tuesday’s opener. The UW-Parkside hurler entered the start with just one victory this season, but responded with eight strong innings.

One of the keys to the success of the pitching staff is veteran catcher Billy Johnson, according to Pulizzano. The former Tremper and UW-Whitewater standout is in his fifth season with the Kings.

“We’re an entirely different team when Billy is behind the plate,” Pulizzano said. “He calls a great game and has the best arm in southeast Wisconsin as far as I’m concerned. He makes all the difference in the world. I rarely have to visit the mound when Billy is catching.”

Racine automatically advanced to the championship series by virtue of its regular-season league title. The team won two-of-three games against the Kings in the regular season.

The Kings swept Racine in last year’s championship series.