The Clark Atlanta University Panthers baseball team is in the middle of a late-season break from their Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schedule, but today's doubleheader against Claflin University is important, said head coach Kentaus "K.C." Carter.
The first pitch is at 2 p.m. at Bill Evans Field in College Park, Ga.
"We talked about it Wednesday after we played Georgia College," Carter said. "Actually, we played pretty well against Georgia College. We made some boneheaded plays that cost of the game, I'd say. But after the game, we talked about these next three weekends being very important to where we are going and where we need to get to."
The Panthers (9-20, 6-9 SIAC) take on a Claflin (20-10} team that left the SIAC for the CIAA this season. Claflin has won six in a row, with their last lost coming on March 24 to Paine College – a team Clark Atlanta swept four games from two weeks ago.
It's an important stretch for Clark Atlanta as they are fighting for spot in the SIAC Baseball Championships that begin on May 2 in Albany, Ga. The top eight teams in terms of winning percentage make the championship field.
Right now, CAU is in the No. 8 spot and would make the tournament field for the second consecutive year, and just the second time in program history.
"We kind of control our destiny," Carter said. "But we just have to win."
Which is why this weekend is important, Carter said. The Panthers play today against Claflin and then Tuesday at Shorter College before hosting conference and Atlanta University Center foe Morehouse College next weekend and visiting Tuskegee University the following weekend.
So, getting everything together now is vital, Carter said.
"Continuity, just playing the game the right way, pitching, playing defense and getting timely hitting," he said. "Again, this weekend is kind of to get ourselves together for the next two weekends, to put ourselves in position to make the [SIAC] playoffs."
Carter said the Panther defense has been playing well, though pitching hasn't been as strong as he'd like.
Anthony Nettles continues to be his go-to pitcher on the mound.
On offense, Carter said
Jordan Johnson,
Jason Howell and
Calvin Butler have been their big hitters.
"Everybody from there just needs to get on base and let those guys drive in guys," Carter said. "But those are our go-to guys. They are our leaders. We go as they go."
Carter is again expecting a good crowd to come out to Bill Evans Field today and next weekend. But he wants the entire Clark Atlanta University community to be part of that support.
"Our fan base has been wonderful this year," he said. "Every time I look up in the stands, I see a lot of people. I just want to continue getting the support. Just come out and see what we're going a Clark Atlanta. We have a good thing going. The whole goal now is to compete for a championship."
