CHERRY VALLEY — The Cross County baseball Thunderbirds and Lady Thunderbirds open play today (Tuesday) in the 2A-3 district tournament. And for the first time in recent history, the baseball T-Birds are hosting a tournament game.
“It feels pretty good,” said Cross County baseball coach Alex Coveny. “I think it’s good for our school and for our guys to finally get to host some post-season play at our place. Our guys are pretty excited for it, so we’ve just got to take things one game at a time right now.”
The T-Birds will host East Poinsett County in the second-round game at 4:30 p.m. today at the Wynne Sports Complex.
With a win, Cross County will advance to the regional tournament as well as a semifinal round match-up against top-seeded Riverside.
However, Coveny said that despite a 2-0 record against the Warriors this season, his team can’t look past them.
“We’re confident going into post-season play,” he said. “We’ve played EPC twice so far. The first time we played them at our place we beat them 17-7, but then last week we played them and we scratched one out 10-9 so right now I’m having to wheel my guys back in. … We don’t have Riverside on Thursday yet, until we take care of business Tuesday.”
The Lady T-Birds, meanwhile, will be on the road today at Rector.
Cross County softball coach Conner Haag said he believes his team is in a good position to advance.
“In our conference the way it goes, I think we could have very well been seeded as the three or two seed in this district tournament as well, or even the four. Sitting in the five, I think we got the draw we all wanted.
“Early in the season, we played at Rector. Game one we just didn’t really hit the ball well and got beat 7-5,” Haag added. “Game two both teams hit the ball well and we beat them 18-17. Going into a game to decide on getting in the regionals, I think it’s a very good one for us being a team we’ve split with and we know we’re capable of beating.”
Haag is also confident in his team’s future with the Junior Lady T-Birds winning their post-season championship after an undefeated season.
“Fortunately, this being my second year, we signed a girl last year to go to Crowley’s Ridge in Trinity Crosby. This year, we had one senior (Brooklyn Walls) and that one senior signed to go play at Mountain Home,” he said. “That is big-time stuff. Next year we’ll bring back two girls who are seniors. They’re third base and shortstop right now. I think both of them have a legitimate shot to do it if they really want to.”
