KILGORE, Texas-Deep playoff runs are a baseball tradition at Pleasant Grove and if that's going to happen this year, it will start with a one-game showdown against Tyler Chapel Hill at 7 p.m. tonight at Driller Park.
The Hawks, 19-4 and ranked No. 3 in the coaches' poll, nailed down a fifth consecutive district championship last week. Chapel Hill, 9-14, is the No. 4 seed out of District 16-4A.
PG coach Riley Fincher said his team will just try to play their game.
"We need to continue to get great starting pitching, play sound defense-make the routine plays-and continue to attack on offense," Fincher said. "We do what we can to put pressure on the other team, to make them play faster than they're used to playing."
Senior shortstop Joe Pearlman will lead off for the Hawks. He's followed by center fielder A.J. Snyder, first baseman Heath Ferguson, right fielder Carson Cox, catcher Mark Ashby, second baseman Jacob Smith, Bolden, Connor Ouellette or Tanner Cole at third, and left fielder Vashon Williams.
A tough district and a rugged pre-district schedule have helped prepare the Hawks for the playoffs, Fincher said.
"Our kids understand what is at stake in front of them," he said. "All 18 guys on our roster are unselfish. Their whole goal is to win the game in front of them and they'll do whatever it takes to make that happen.
"It's been a joy coaching them. They get there early, they enjoy each other's company, and they're grinders," Fincher said. "They've ground all season and put themselves in a position to be successful."
TEAMS: Pleasant Grove (21-2, 1st Place 15-4A) vs. Tyler Chapel Hill (9-14, 4th Place 16-4A)
SITE, TIME: Friday, 7 p.m., Driller Park, Kilgore.
AT STAKE: Class 4A Bi-district Championship
NEXT ROUND: Winner of Wills Point vs. Kaufman
RADIO: KTRG 94.1 FM, 6:30 p.m.