0413 SPHS baseball team
The 2013 Spain Park Varsity Baseball Team.
Not only are they geographically close, but the teams that make up AHSAA Class 6A, Area 8 all play at nearly the same skill level. The Spain Park baseball team feels that its chances of getting past the tough region are good, as long as they put in the work to do so.
The Jags already began region play, with two games against neighbor Oak Mountain in March. Pelham will play Spain Park April 2 and 4, while the Jaguars will finish things out in the area against Chelsea April 8 and 10.
“It’s one of the toughest, if not the toughest areas in 6A,” head coach Will Smith said. “I think four out of the six wins gets you in the playoffs, just because there’s so much parity in the league.”
Spain Park started the season in the Birmingham-Huntsville Challenge. The Jaguars opened with a four-game win streak before losing to Oak Mountain in the tournament’s final game.
After another loss, Spain Park won three consecutive games and had a formidable 7-2 record. The Jags struggled going into the area opener against Oak Mountain and were 9-6 when region play began.
“We started the season really well against a bunch of good teams,” Smith said. “It’s been kind of up-and-down since then; we’ve gotten banged up with some nagging injuries.”
As of March 22, the Jaguars were 12-13.
Spain Park will have the help of seven seniors, with catcher Grant Veteto leading the way for the Jaguars going into region play.
“Every day we’re out here we’re looking to improve to get a shot at Area,” he said.
For Spain Park to win its first ever state baseball title, the Jaguars will look to start April strong and never look back.
Remaining schedule:
April 4 – Pelham. 6:30 p.m.
April 6 –Tuscaloosa County. 10 a.m.
April 6 – Clay Chalkville. 3 p.m.
April 8 – Chelsea. 6:30 p.m.
April 10 – at Chelsea. 6:30 p.m.
April 12 – Spring Garden. 4 p.m.
April 15 – at Wetumpka, 4 p.m./7 p.m.
