FAIRHOPE, Alabama — The Fairhope Pirates return to the first round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association state baseball playoffs tonight when they welcome the Enterprise Wildcats to Volanta Park in a Class 6A best-of-three series. A third game will only be played if necessary tomorrow.

PLAYOFF SERIES UPDATE: Many of Friday's first round games were postponed until Saturday. Check here and here for updates. 

Fairhope coach Stu Fuller said his offense has lacked some discipline at the plate of late while pitching and defense have been more consistent.

“Enterprise has a great club. We have a big challenge to get ready for but it’s what we work for. This is where you want to be this time of year. I know coach (Shawn) Gilmer always does a great job and will have his guys ready.

“We have been playing better defense as well as pitching strong the last couple of weeks. But we have not swung the bats very consistently, though, lately. Hopefully, our preparation will help. If we swing the bat a little bit better, find ways to come through more often in certain situations, hopefully, we can make it through.”

The Pirates will host Enterprise today and tonight at Volanta Park at 4:30 and 7 p.m. An “if necessary” game is set for tomorrow at 1 p.m.

Class 5A No. 1 Spanish Fort hosts St. Paul’s:  The “Three-mendous” Toros start their official, “Fight for the Fourth,” consecutive 5A state baseball title tonight when they host perennial rival St. Paul’s on The Hill for the first (best-of-three) round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association state playoffs.

First-year Spanish Fort coach Brent Boyd said his team is physically and athletically ready. The real challenge is staying focused on each game, play and pitch the rest of the way.

“These seniors have already won three state championships and they understand our season really starts now,” he said. “They know what it takes to get to this point and they have been a part of going all the way and conveying to the younger players, you know, what it takes and let’s keep it going. So motivation is there, we just have to rely on what we do and can do and not be concerned about our opponents record or ranking. We want to be focused on the game at hand and Friday night that’s St. Paul’s.”

The defending 5A state champions and the former 5A state champion Saints have had their epic clashes in recent years. Boyd, who was an assistant coach for the Toros last year, said the rivalry is good fuel for the first round.

“St. Paul’s always has a quality program and we know they would love to come in here and spoil our day. It’s almost routine for us to meet in the first round. They will bring their best and I hope we will answer. That’s part of it. But we feel confident having the home field. It’s always nice. But no matter who or where we play, we have to stay focused and play our best baseball every time the ball’s put into play.”

The Toros will host the Saints today and tonight on The Hill at SFHS at 4:30 and 7 p.m. An "if necessary" game is set for tomorrow at 1 p.m.

Foley, Gulf Shores, Bayside open playoffs on the road:  The Foley Lions open Class 6A state playoff play on the road today at Northview-Dothan at 4:30 and 7 p.m. with a third game Saturday at 1 p.m. if necessary.

Also today, Baldwin County’s Class 3A team, Bayside Academy, will visit Opp for games at 4:30 and 7 p.m. and will play an “if necessary” game Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

UPDATE: The Gulf Shores-Faith Academy playoff series has been postponed until Saturday because of weather. The Dolphins will visit the Rams in the first two games of a best-of-three series on Saturday staring at 1 p.m. We will post more updates as they become available.