Arundel, Old Mill and Mount St. Joseph, ranked Nos. 1, 2, and 3 by The Sun, respectively, start play today in a unique baseball tournament.

Baseball Factory, a company that aids players in securing scholarships, has set up a tournament that features some of the top teams from four states.

Besides the three highly regarded local teams, five out-of-state teams will compete in the two-day event, with each team guaranteed three games.

“It’s the first time this many teams have been involved in what is basically a national tournament here in the East,” said Bernie Walter, coach of nine-time state champion Arundel, which will be one of the two hosts. Joe Cannon Stadium in Harmans will be the other.

“Usually, you don’t get more than two or three teams from out of town like this,” Walter said. “The caliber of teams and coaches for this are outstanding. Six of the eight teams playing won a state championship last year or in a recent year.”

Arundel (3-1) will open at 4 p.m. at home today against Mount St. Joseph (5-1). Shenendahowa (N.Y.) will meet Frederick’s Thomas Johnson in the 7 p.m. game at Arundel.

Old Mill (4-0) will play North Allegany (Pa.) in the 7 p.m. game at Cannon, after the 4 p.m. contest between Steinert (N.J.) and Jefferson (W. Va.).

The Arundel/St. Joe winner will play the Shenendahowa/Thomas Johnson winner at 1 p.m. tomorrow at Cannon, with the loser playing at 10 a.m. at Cannon.

Arundel ranked No. 25 nationally this week in the “Fab 50” of Student Sports magazine, will host Old Mill/North Allegany winner against the Steinert/Jefferson winner at 1 p.m. tomorrow, with the losers in those games playing the 10 a.m. game at Arundel.

Both sites will host games at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., with the championship game pitting the two unbeaten teams at 7 p.m. at Cannon.