Pike County head coach Jim Bedsole set out this season, his first in purple and silver, to do one thing: make Bulldog baseball competitive again.

It is safe to say, despite a 4-15 record, Bedsole has achieved his goal. For the first time in nearly a decade, Pike County will take part in the Alabama High School Athletic Association baseball playoffs.

The Bulldogs got to the post-season by knocking off Abbeville in back-to-back games on Saturday.

“The kids were really excited, and I am too,” said Bedsole with a sly grin. “I didn’t know it had been that long since Pike County had been to the playoffs. We are proud to represent the school.”

Bedsole’s Bulldogs dropped their Friday night game against Abbeville after leading for much of the day. The loss set up two-game must win series on Saturday, and Bulldogs pulled off a close victory in game one before unloading in game two to score an easy win.

“We tried to give it away again in the first game, but the kids came together and pulled it out,” said Bedsole. “I am really happy with how game two went. I don’t know when the last time Pike County 10-runed someone. We are ready to put in the work and keep playing for a while.”

Pike County last advanced to the playoffs in 2006. The Bulldogs were eliminated in the first round by Headland in a 15-5 loss.

The Bulldogs open the 2014 playoffs on the road in Slocomb on Friday.

First pitch for the doubleheader is set for 1 p.m.