With the regular season now behind them, the Charles Henderson Lady Trojans hope to embark on a long run through the post season. The first step is Thursday when they take on Eufaula in the first round of the Class 5A Area 3 Tournament.

“We are very excited. It’s what we worked for all year long,” said Trojans head coach Robin Snyder. “Our goal is to make state. It’s a team goal and we know we are playing a quality opponent in Eufaula, and we know that we can beat them.”

The Trojans finished the regular season with a 13-15 and a double-header sweep over rival Pike County on Monday.

“We have the talent to make it to state,” Snyder said. “I think we have pitching that is as good as anybody. As long as our defense does their job behind them, then we have a chance to win.”

To be able to finish in the top two and advance to the regional tournament, they will have to navigate their way through a very difficult Area 3 tournament. Rehobeth enters as the number one teem in Class 5A and Eufaula has given the Trojans fits this season.

“It’s going to be tough,” Snyder said. “Eufaula is a very good team. They are built a lot like we are. It’s tough but you feel like you will be better prepared for regionals knowing that you will face three quality opponents in your area. I feel like the two teams that come out of area will be as well prepared as anybody.”

It’s the team that puts it all together the best in the playoffs that has the best chance to survive and advance.

“We have to put all the aspects of our game together,” Snyder said. “We are going to have good pitching and have good timely hitting. Batters are going to have to do their job at knowing the situations at particular times. In our area one run can win a ball game for you or lose one for you. If you don’t execute or have a miscue on defense and it costs you one run, then that can cost you a ball game.”

Snyder admits they have run into those situations too many times this season.

“We have had a few games where we have executed a whole game where both our offense and defense were on the same page,” Snyder said. “Now we have to do that every game. It’s crunch time we have to execute all three. In my opinion, if we do that we have a good chance to advance.”

The Trojans and Eufaula will start the double-elimination tournament on Thursday at 10 a.m.