The Straughn Tigers’ baseball team has been up-and-down throughout the season, but strong play recently has the Tigers set up for a chance at the playoffs.

“We have gotten better as the season went along,” Straughn head coach Daniel Rodgers said. “Now, we have ourselves in a really good situation to make the playoffs. At this point, we control our own destiny and don’t have to hope for another team to win or lose.”

The Tigers ran through a rough patch midway through the season, but Rodgers said he feels they have turned the corner.

“We were kind of just living and dieing by our pitching,” Rodgers said. “When we make routine plays, throws strikes and put the ball in play, we have been successful. Last week, in our area game with Slocomb, I think we really started to find our groove.”

In the game against Slocomb and the few games since, Rodgers said the Tigers are playing better.

“The kids have started picking each other up and just doing the little things right,” Rodgers said. “We are excited heading into our last area series of the season. We know now that we are capable of doing it. The biggest thing will be to continue play with that same level of confidence from the last few games.”

The Tigers will wrap up area play with three-games series on Thursday and Friday. Thursday’s game will be in Straughn and Friday’s in Opp.

“We have a huge series coming up this week with Opp,” There is going to be a lot at stake in that series. We know we can do it, but we have to display confidence every time the ball comes your way.”

Rodgers said that a win on Thursday, would go a long way in helping the Tigers clinch a spot in the 2017 AHSAA baseball playoffs.

“This is going to be a huge on Thursday,” Rodgers said. There is going to be a lot on the line for both teams and we sure could use a big crowd.”