Does Vicksburg have another magical playoff run in them like last year’s run to the Class 4A state championship series? They will begin to find out Friday when they open the 2009 playoffs with a best of three series in Saltillo.

Vicksburg vs. Saltillo

Game 1, VHS at Saltillo

Friday, 5 p.m.

Game 2, VHS hosts Saltillo

Saturday,  4 p.m.

The Gators (18-6) won the Division 3-4A title  for the second straight year and enter the playoffs as a No. 1 seed. They will take on the Tigers (11-12), who enter as the No. 4 seed from Division 1-4A. Game 1 is set for 5 p.m. at Saltillo. The series returns for its conclusion on Saturday at Bazinsky Field, starting with Game 2 at 4.

There are no easy rides in 4A. Vicksburg had to go three tough games against Neshoba Central in the first round last season.

“Nothing is easy about the playoffs. But you can’t win it unless you’re in it, and we’re in it,” veteran Vicksburg coach Jamie Creel said.

Until last year’s run, Vicksburg had never advanced past the second round. Playing in the state’s elite 5A class, had a lot to do with that as the Gators would run into the likes of Tupelo (2007) or Northwest Rankin (2006).

“I feel like we have one of the toughest draws in Saltillo. They are a team that has gotten healthy of late. They started off real slow but they have put it together these last few games,” Creel said.

The Tigers defeated the division’s second-place team Itawamba AHS last week, 7-4. They played division champs Pontotoc close in a 4-1 loss. They’ve also played 5A runner-up Tupelo this season.

“They’ve got a good lefty and a pretty good right-hander,” Creel said of the Tigers’ starting pitching. His biggest concern, however, remains his team’s health.

“It’s still not good. We’ll run Brian (Fitzgerald) out there Friday,” Creel said.

Fitzgerald, the club’s ace, has been affected by a tweaked shoulder. He did manage to throw three solid innings in last week’s 10-5 win over Warren Central. This season, Fitzgerald is 5-0 with 36 innings pitched. Kurt Cooksey (3-2) will draw the start in Game 2 in Vicksburg.

Saltillo has some power, led by Drew Chisolm’s five home runs.

Vicksburg’s power numbers have gone down dramatically this season, but Creel said there is a reason.

“Mainly because we’re back in Bazinsky. It’s a big park. But we also had to play Callaway at the VA Field in Jackson and Lanier at Grove Hill and both of those parks are big as well.”

Senior centerfielder Trey Prentiss leads the Gators with two home runs. He had seven last year. Prentiss also leads the team in RBIs with 22 and has stolen 14 bases.

Tulane University signee Bowen Woodson is batting .443 with 18 RBIs. Fitzgerald is the team leader in average at .471 and has driven in 20 runs. Hinds signee Blake Hynum is hitting .362 with 17 RBIs.

The Gators will get back starting shortstop Ryan Ferrington at least for Saturday.

“We got a good report on Ryan’s foot. He’ll definitely be available Saturday and that will free up two other positions,” Creel said.

With Ferrington out, Woodson had to move from third to short and then Creel used a couple of reserves to fill in at third.

It also helps the bullpen because Ferrington and Woodson are the two main relievers Creel likes to use.

*

Contact Jeff Byrd at jbyrd@vicksburgpost.com