While a trip to the state playoffs will not be on the line when Apalachee High School and Salem High School clash this week on the baseball field, there is still plenty for the Wildcats to play for.
AHS has a chance to set a single-season school record for wins or even tie it with two victories. It’s also about pride for the program, coach Mike Cavey said.
“There is something to play for, if it means something to them,” the coach said. “That will be the key.”
“I’ve always said you can’t coach heart or fear. I think we can only prepare them so much. I hope the seniors will want to play and help lead us in the series. Setting a school record for wins would be something to be proud of. We can still accomplish some great things. It’s not for me, it’s for them. They have to want it.”
Two games will be played at Salem Wednesday beginning at 4:30 p.m. A third game, regardless of the outcome Wednesday, will be played Thursday at AHS beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Cavey said Sunday he was still deciding on how to handle the pitching rotation. Ryan Shorter and Caleb Austin will both see action.
“We’ll have to see how it works out,” the coach said. “Our entire pitching staff will likely get some work. We hope to go out and throw strikes and have a chance to win at least a couple of the games.”
Salem coach Chad Kitchens said the 2011 season has been a tough one at times for his Diamond Seminoles.
“We have had a tough year with a lot of adversity,” Kitchens said. “We stayed in the hunt until the last day and last inning, but just had too many obstacles to overcome. We have a lot of respect for Coach Cavey and Apalachee. We are going to try our best to win game one and go from there.”
Both coaches will look to use the positive momentum the series can bring and use it as they go into the offseason and begin preparations for next spring when another 8-AAAA schedule of games arrives.
