High school baseball season in Alabama is nearing an end.

Hanceville, Cullman and Addison are hoping it’s just getting started.

The stakes will be high for all three squads when the playoffs, weather permitting, commence on Thursday and Friday. As area champs, Hanceville and Cullman will host Winston County and Athens, respectively. As area runner-up, Addison will make the trek to Section.

Cullman and Hanceville both elected to move their first-round series up from Friday to hopefully avoid expected showers.

The Bearcats will welcome the Golden Eagles to Bill Shelton Field Thursday for a doubleheader starting at 4:30 p.m. An if-necessary Game 3 would be Friday at 5 p.m.

Hanceville will play two Thursday against the Yellow Jackets beginning at 4:30 p.m. The tiebreaker would be Friday at 4:30 p.m.

Addison’s postseason opener is set for Friday at 4 p.m. Should it split with the Lions, the two will square off for a do-or-die third game Saturday at noon.

See a few morsels about the area’s three teams still left standing below:

Hanceville

Record: 20-6

Rank: Class 3A No. 6

The skinny: This is the Dawgs’ second playoff berth in a row after an eight-season drought. They were swept by Winfield in the first round a year ago … The Pirates, who claimed both 2014 battles 4-1, are hosting the Purple and Gold’s area mate, Susan Moore. The winner plays Hanceville or Winston County in the second round … The Bulldogs are looking to advance past the first round for the first time since 2005 and sixth overall … Michael Chandler’s squad shut out the Yellow Jackets 3-0 back on March 16 behind pitching from Christian James and Mark Kubia and a pair of doubles by Isaac Hardin. James and Loggins provide a formidable 1-2 punch on the mound. Hardin, who can also bring the heat, and Isaac Weissend have wielded the team’s most consistent bats … Hanceville’s highest ranking this year was No. 1, the first top spot in program history … Winston County went 2-4 in area play but collected both wins against Oakman to take the tiebreaker.

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Cullman

Record: 35-9

Rank: Class 6A No. 1

The skinny: The ‘Cats have lasted longer than the first round 13 consecutive seasons. Over that span, they’ve won three state titles (2002, 2007, 2008) and reached the state finals eight times, including last year’s march to Montgomery … The Black and Gold bounced Athens in the first round last spring, winning 8-5 and 11-2. They also eliminated the Golden Eagles in the 2011 semis and the third round in 2008. Athens’ only series victory between the two came in the first round in 1999 … The Golden Eagles (12-16) topped Muscle Shoals in the area tiebreaker, leaving Florence to host Hartselle for the right to play Cullman or Athens in the second round … The Bearcats are led offensively by Cole Collins, Owen Lovell and Orvis Cuello, who’ve combined for 24 home runs … Lefty Jesse Scott heads up a deep pitching staff that includes, but is far from limited to, Branch Hill, Carter Bowen, Sam Huser and Lovell … Cullman’s 11 seniors will be recognized Thursday after the squad’s originally scheduled Senior Night was washed out on Monday.

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Addison

Record: 8-8

Rank: N/A

The skinny: The Bulldogs, a full season removed from a trip to the third round, edged Cold Springs and Tanner for the second playoff berth in 2A, Area 14 … Should they move on, the Blue and Gold would either get a rematch with area-rival Falkville or a fresh matchup versus Collinsville … Zack Anders leads Addison in batting average at .458. Kyle Denson has a team-high 12 RBIs and five doubles … John Everett and Matthew Mann are the team’s top arms. Everett is 3-1 with a 4.20 ERA and team-high 18 strikeouts, while Mann is 2-1 with a save and 2.80 ERA … Of Section’s seven total wins, five came against area foes.