AISA BASEBALL: Semifinal series open and continue at Paterson Field

Macon East is part of this week’s AISA State Baseball Tournament at Paterson Field. (File Photo)

By TIM GAYLE

For the first time since the double-elimination format was changed to a best-of-three series, the Alabama Independent School Association state baseball playoffs will hold its semifinals and finals in the same location.

The AISA semifinals will be played Monday-Wednesday at Paterson Field, with the winners advancing to the finals next week at Paterson.

In the past, the semifinals were held at campus sites.

“Of course, I love to play at our park,” Macon East Academy coach Christian Coston said. “But we’re blessed to be able to play at Paterson. That’s been a goal of ours all year, to get to Paterson. Ironically, I didn’t look at (the brackets) and know (the semifinals) were going to be at Paterson until (the quarterfinals), but it’s truly an honor. Wherever we play, we’re in the final four and I’m excited for our kids.”

Macon East will face Clarke Prep in a Class AA semifinal doubleheader on Tuesday at 10 a.m., followed by Southern-Bessemer in a 3 p.m. doubleheader. Without the change in the format, Macon East would have traveled to Grove Hill to play Clarke Prep this week.

“I think that’s a pretty cool gig we get to do because it’s not something everybody gets to do,” Macon East Academy junior Jackson Todd said. “Normally, (Paterson Field) is the championship but now it’s the semifinals. I think it’s a pretty cool thing that we get to go and play there, play somewhere that not many people get to play. And for us, it’s 15 minutes down the road.”

The Class A semifinals were held on Monday, with Lakeside sweeping Coosa Valley to advance to next week’s finals. In the other Class A semifinal, Hope Christian and Patrician Academy split their Monday doubleheader and will play a third game on Wednesday at 11 a.m.

ALABAMA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

STATE BASEBALL PLAYOFFS

Semifinals

At Paterson Field

CLASS A

Monday

Hope Christian 1-2, Patrician Academy 0-6; Game 3, Wednesday, 11 a.m.

Lakeside School 6-6, Coosa Valley Academy 0-1

Tuesday

Macon East Academy vs. Clarke Prep School, 10 a.m.

Southern Academy vs. Bessemer Academy, 3 p.m.