The Bethlehem Christian Academy baseball squad was the surprise team of the Georgia Independent Schools Association a year ago.
The Knights advanced to the GISA Class A state semifinals and won a region title in their first season of full varsity play. The team also did not lose to a Class A team until the semifinals of the state playoffs. BCA accomplished all of this without benefit of a senior and under the direction of a first-year head coach.
Now, the Knights are more known in GISA circles, coach Nick Pou has ramped up the non-region schedule this spring, beginning with defending Class AAA state champion Tattnall Square next Monday in the season opener.
“We wanted to play as tough of a non-region schedule as we could,” Pou said when he announced the schedule for 2013. “Facing this level of pitching will help us in the playoffs.”
Also on the non-region slate will be defending Class AA champion Brentwood along with runner-up Windsor. BCA will also play Class AAA program Stratford Academy and Class AA program Gatewood in non-region games.
“Teams were more willing to play us this year,” Pou said. “They knew what we accomplished last year so they at least knew who we were. Having success on the field has a way of doing that for a new program.”
With the program entering into its first full varsity season last spring, the schedule was comprised from a different angle.
“Last year we didn’t know going into the season what to expect,” Pou said. “Now we know what to expect come playoff time so we wanted to load up the schedule.”
Despite the fact his team is playing the defending Class AAA champion, Pou said he will not treat it as anything different.
“Everyone will make it out to be a marquee matchup, but it is still the first game,” the coach said. “We would love to win the game, however we will throw four or five pitchers and get ready for the season and get ready for the region. It’s an important game but we won’t put too much emphasis on it. We’ll see what we can do and then move on. Right now it is the most important game because it’s the next game.”
The Knights will venture to St. Simons later in the week for three games over a two-day span. Pou said the team’s depth at pitcher should prove beneficial in this setup as well.
“I think we are the only GISA Class A school which has a JV,” he said. “It is our first game but we will throw a lot of guys.”
In terms of expectations for this spring, Pou said winning region again is one of the top goals.
“With a non-region schedule like we have, a 19-2 record again would be great, but do I expect to? Probably not. We will match up with our opponents better than some people expect. In the end, playing teams like Tattnall will help us when we enter the postseason.”
Monday’s game is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
