Pike County head coach Jim Bedsole might know the ins and outs of the Slocomb baseball field better than anyone else.

Bedsole led the Redtops to the playoffs in each of his three seasons. The Redtops advanced to the third round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association playoffs in 2013, and Bedsole says the group is a talented as ever.

“I know how good they are,” said Bedsole. “They have quite a few of really talented pitchers, and all their guys can hit the ball a ton. They are good, but everybody is 0-0 now. So we all have the same shot.”

Bedsole said it will be “somewhat emotional” for him to return to the school where he had much of his success. But don’t expect the Dawgs just to roll over and play dead.

“Baseball isn’t like football or other sports, where being a great athlete can get you by,” said Bedsole. “There is a difference in being an athlete and being a baseball player. But we are going to use our athleticism and run the bases when we get on. I told the guys the other day to remember that Slocomb must beat us twice. All the pressure is on them. We have nothing to lose.”

The first round game between Slocomb and Pike County is set for 3 P.m. first pitch from Redtop Field in Slocomb.