By Erik Harris
PINSON — The weather completely shut down the early portion of this baseball season for area teams, and now it’s spilling over into playoff action.
Pinson Valley (26-12) and Clay-Chalkville (13-17) were originally scheduled to open the Class 6A state playoffs with Friday night doubleheaders, but with a rainy week likely, those doubleheaders have been moved up to Thursday.
Pinson Valley’s opener is currently scheduled to start at 5 p.m. with the succeeding game directly following at around 7:30 p.m. Clay-Chalkville plans to throw its first pitch at 4:30 p.m.
With the best-of-three format in place, the if-necessary third game would be played Friday.
For Pinson Valley senior Baker Hodge, this news was better than getting back a flawless math exam.
“One less day to wait,” Hodge said. “We prepare all year long for the playoffs. Can’t wait to get the series started.”
The 10th-ranked Indians won Area 12 with a 5-1 league mark, giving them home field advantage in the first round. They welcome Area 11 runner-up Walker (21-8), who finished behind Gardendale in league play.
Clay-Chalkville will visit the Area 11 champions Thursday evening. Gardendale finished the regular season with a 25-9 overall record, sitting just outside the latest Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 6A rankings.