This could be the final go-around for Pillow Academy's six senior baseball players.
The Mustangs will have to beat Parklane Academy twice Friday to keep their season alive and extend the high school careers of Bo Craig, Tyler Cannon, Michael Gant, Jay Mitchell, Pate Shackelford and Ross Homolik.
The Mustangs (22-5) host Parklane (23-9) at 4 p.m. Friday at Utroska Field in the second game of a best-of-three State AAA Division I playoff series. Parklane won the first game Tuesday 8-4 in McComb.
The seniors say they feel no pressure heading into Friday.
"We know we come back because we've done it time and time again this season," said Craig, a pitcher/first baseman. "This team will fight back."
Homolik believes the Mustangs are ready for the challenge of needing back-to-back wins to reach the state championship series next week.
"There is no pressure at all," said the right fielder, who leads the team at the plate with a .455 batting average. "We have a very strong home field advantage. We're excited, but we'll treat it like any other game."
The Mustangs had won eight straight games before the Pioneers rallied from a 4-1 deficit to beat them Tuesday. PA is 14-2 at home this season.
Second-year Pillow head coach Bart Jenkins says he is blessed to have such a great group of seniors.
Mitchell and Shackelford are four-year starters for the Mustangs. Mitchell has been a stud pitcher the last three seasons. He is 6-2 on the mound in 2008 and is expected to start Game 2 against Parklane.
"I've known Jay for a long time. It's been fun watching him grow up and become such a great pitcher," Jenkins said. "He has struggled with his consistency some this year, but he has been pretty much lights out lately. We know he's going to compete and battle on the mound."
Mitchell had a complete-game three-hitter last Thursday.
Mitchell also plays middle infield and is hitting above .300 for the season. He will pitch for East Central Mississippi Community College next year.
Shackelford, a Delta State signee, is batting .441 and has 20 stolen bases.
"Everybody who knows anything about Pillow Academy knows what kind of athlete Pate is, but they don't grasp what kind of competitor he is. He has a motor that never stops," Jenkins said. "He's a great competitor and team leader.
"To this point, I've never coached a smarter baseball player and may never will."
Gant is a first-year player with the Mustangs. This is his first year at Pillow after transferring in from a public school in Alabama.
He's been a big boost to the team as the leadoff batter and the left fielder. Gant is batting .365 and has been thrown out attempting to steal just once in 32 attempts.
"Michael came in and gave this team a big jolt on offense and defense with his speed," Jenkins said. "He's been a big part of this team's success."
Gant has signed to play baseball next season for Mississippi Delta Community College.
Craig is 5-1 on the mound and will pitch for MDCC next season. He thanks Jenkins for getting a chance to finally pitch at the varsity level.
"Coach Jenkins was the first coach to give me a real shot at pitching. This season started a little rough for me, but I've come on strong and have a lot of confidence if I am called on to pitch against Parklane," said Craig, who will likely be the starter if there is a third game.
"I am really proud of what Bo has accomplished. When I first got here, I presented him with a challenge, and he shocked a lot of people," the PA coach said. "He's worked hard to get to where he's at."
Cannon, the clean-up batter and third baseman, leads the team with six home runs. He is batting .330.
Jenkins says the slugger has had a complete transformation this season.
"Last year he struggled with his work ethic and consistency, but he's a completely different kid," Jenkins explained. "He's been a hard worker and the vocal leader of our infield and not to mention he's had some big-time clutch hits for us. He will be strongly missed next year."
Jenkins calls Homolik by far his most improved player.
"He's done everything I've asked of him, and I am so pleased to see it paying off in a heck of a senior season," the PA coach said. "Ross is the essence of a team player, he's been great to coach."
doesn't mind rolling up his sleeves and going to work."
