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Escambia Academy will begin postseason play this Friday at home against Meadowview Christian in the first round of the AISA Class 1A state playoffs.

The Cougars (12-8) began their season on a 1-4 slate, but since then, have compiled a 11-4 record, finishing second in Class 1A, Region 2, Area 1.

The postseason format is a best-of-three series with two games on Friday, and an if necessary game on Saturday.

Head baseball coach Chris Kirk said the team did begin with a slow start, but came on fire during the season.

“The bats have gotten much better,” Kirk said. “Overall, our hitting is probably somewhere in the .350s (average). Our top five batters are in the .400 range. We’re starting to hit with more power, and are seeing the ball better. Our pitching has gotten better, too.”

Kirk said the Cougars’ ace this season has been Lane Milstead. Milstead is 6-2 and has thrown a 1.5 ERA (earned run average). Other pitchers that have stood out included Luke Bell, Carson Wilson, Bradley Spann, Charlie Sasser and Isaac Ratcliff.

On the doubleheader on Friday, Kirk said the big key is to just keep hitting the baseball.

“We’ve just got to put the ball in play in our games, and score some runs,” he said. “I’ve been glad to see the kids progress and get better. We finished up tied for the region, and it went down to a tiebreaker. The guys are maturing and getting more games, and getting better.”

First pitch of the doubleheader Friday is at 4 p.m.