With several non-region games under their belts, the Winder-Barrow High School and Apalachee High School baseball teams are set to begin the 2009 Region 8-AAAA schedules.
The Diamond Doggs will host Habersham Central today (Wednesday) at 5:55 p.m. while the AHS Wildcats travel to Clarke Central in Athens today for a 5:55 p.m. start.
“We know that we have one of the toughest regions in Class AAAA,” said Wildcat coach Mike Cavey. “We cannot give away outs which lead to unearned runs. We have to make our opponents earn them and if we can eliminate the little mistakes, then I feel we can compete. It will be tough, and we can not afford any let downs during any of these region games.”
AHS is coming off a 17-12 win against Berkmar Saturday.
For WBHS and coach Brian Smith, a grueling doubleheader Saturday against Statesboro and Effingham County should help the Bulldoggs as they prepare to enter 8-AAAA play.
“I have seen some things I like,” Smith said. “We are starting to get a tougher personality.”
The region in which WBHS and AHS competes was in fact one of the tougher ones in the state a year ago. Loganville, who remains a member of 8-AAAA, won the state title in 2008.
Following today’s region openers, the WBHS baseball team will travel to Rockdale County Friday while the AHS squad will host Cedar Shoals Friday.
