The Andalusia Bulldogs (16-17) will have their work cut out for them today when they host the No. 1-ranked UMS-Wright Bulldogs (25-8) in the second round of the Class 4A state baseball playoffs.

“I expect both teams to be able to hit the ball well and throw strikes,” Andalusia head coach Tyler Dent said. “The key to who wins this series will come down to defense… At this stage the playoffs, ever team is good and it’s tough to beat a good team when you give them extra outs.”

For UMS-Wright in the first round, they swept Headland in the first two games of the best-of-three series.

UMS-Wright has been led by LSU baseball commit Tanner Allen and Sam Plash. Both were recently named to the South team for the North/South All-Star baseball game, Allen as a pitcher and Plash as a first baseman.

Allen had a strong first round as he hit his fourth and fifth home runs of the season.

In the first round for Andalusia, the Bulldogs beat out a strong W.S. Neal in three games to move on to the second round.

Andalusia made the most of defensive miscues from the Blue Eagles and some timely pitching performances from Ethan Wilson, Clay Stephens, Chase Hopkins and Nathan Langley.

The offense was strong for Andalusia in the first round also. Andalusia used a mixture of small ball and extra-base hits to plate 24 runs in the opening round.

Game one between UMS-Wright and Andalusia begins at 4:30 p.m., and the second game begins at 7 p.m.

If necessary, game three will be Saturday at 2 p.m.