Playoffs begin today
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, April 22, 2003
Now the games really count. The 2003 Alabama High School Athletic Association Baseball Playoffs begin today with all six high school baseball teams from Covington County in the running for a state championship.
In Class 4A, the Andalusia Bulldogs and Opp Bobcats are in the hunt for a state crown.
The Bulldogs finished the season with a 4-2 record in Class 4A, Area 1 play. The Bulldogs earned an area runner-up title and will be on the road in the first round of the playoffs.
Andalusia (16-11) travels to Rehobeth to battle the Rehobeth Rebels (14-11) at 4 p.m. today in first-round playoff action.
The Opp Bobcats earned the Class 4A, Area 3 Championship. The Bobcats capped off the regular season with a 4-1 win against Carroll on Monday. The Bobcats are now 17-8 on the season.
The Bobcats will host a first-round playoff game today when the Bibb County Choctaws (18-11) visit Merchants Field for a 6 p.m. game.
In Class 3A, the Straughn Tigers will represent Covington County after winning the Class 3A, Area 2 Championship. The Tigers (22-2) will host the Francis Marion Rams (3-8-1) at 3:30 p.m. today.
The Red Level Tigers finished the season as the Class 2A, Area 3 Runner-Up and will be on the road in the first round when they battle the Calera Eagles (15-5) at Oliver Park with the first pitch set for 3:30 p.m.
In Class 1A, the Florala Wildcats will host a first-round playoff game as the Class 1A, Area 3 Champion. The Wildcats (10-9) will host the Holy Spirit Catholic Titans (17-8) at 3:30 p.m.
The Pleasant Home Eagles (7-9) will be on the road as the Class 1A, Area 3 Runner-Up. The Eagles travel to Moundville to play the American Christian Academy Patriots (21-5) at 3:30 p.m. on the diamond at Hale County High School.
The winners of first-round games will advance to the second round of the playoffs. The second-round playoff games are slated to be played Saturday, April 26.