Crisp Academy seeks first baseball title since 2011

CORDELE — Just inside the foul line near the first-base dugout, the Crisp Academy Wildcats gather for a practice talk from coach Tim Harris.

Before infield and batting practice, Harris tells them another of his longtime coaching stories. When he finishes, he tells them about maintaining their focus this weekend.

This isn’t just an ordinary pep talk — Harris is serious.

He knows what’s at stake, and so does his team.

The Wildcats are playing in the GISA Class A state championship today when they entertain defending champion Bethlehem Christian in the best-of-three series that begins at 1 p.m.

It is the second time in three seasons and third in five years that the Wildcats will be playing for the state title. Last season, they were upended in the semifinals by David Emanuel. Two years ago, they finished as state runners-up to Westwood in a thrilling three-game series.

Crisp Academy is seeking its first title since 2011, and only two current members — Jake Smith and Cullen Brooks — were on the championship team three years ago.

The pair said the 2014 edition is drawing similar comparisons to the last championship team with the way this team hits, pitches and plays defense. And they’d like nothing better than to join them as champions.

“It would definitely be a good way to go out, winning state,” Smith said. “Especially, being a senior.”

Crisp Academy joins a handful of South Georgia baseball teams within a 50-mile radius that either won or are playing for a state title. In the GHSA, Houston County won the Class AAAAA championship on Tuesday, and Crisp County finished as the Class AAAA runner-up on Monday. In the GISA, Tiftarea will play host to Tattnall Square in the Class AAA finals today.

Harris said he hated to see Crisp County fall in the finals, but it may have been a blessing in disguise for his team.

“You better believe these guys know what is going on,” Harris said. “It’s pretty easy to keep them motivated. You ask them ‘Do you want to wear the ring or not.’ I’m excited for the kids, excited for the community, the school and everyone associated with Crisp Academy.”

But the players know they have work to do. The Wildcats have largely been untested in the postseason, sweeping Citizens Christian and David Emanuel to make it to the championship. But Bethlehem Christian has been just as dominant.

Harris said the Wildcats aren’t changing their approach just because they’re in the state championship series.

“You have to start by winning the first inning,” Harris said. “Then you have to win the second inning. It’s a game-by-game approach.”

As successful as the Wildcats have been this season, Smith said he doesn’t want it to end until Crisp Academy wins two more games. He doesn’t want another season where Crisp falls just short.

“It makes you think long and hard,” Smith said of the last two seasons when Crisp lost in the semifinals and finals. “You put in all that hard work to not come out on top.”

But Brooks believes this team is similar to the 2011 squad with its chemistry and cohesiveness. He’d like to see a state championship banner of the 2014 team stretched across the back of the Crisp Academy dugout.

“The seniors and this team have played a lot of ball together,” Brooks said. “We’ve all been to the final four, and we’ve all been to the championship series. We all want to win the championship really bad.”