Wheeler Eastman didn’t waste a moment flipping the page on Cullman’s first-round sweep of McAdory.

Instead, the senior catcher — like the rest of his Black and Gold teammates — instantly turned their rapt attention to the practice field, which has become quite a popular place for the Class 6A No. 1 Bearcats (31-7) these days.

The reasoning is rather simple, too.

Though Cullman will spend more than enough time discussing its second-round opponent Walker (19-17) — the postseason series is set for Friday at 5 and 7 p.m. with an if-necessary outing scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. — the main focus this week and, hopefully, for the next three weeks to follow is on what Eastman and Co. can control.

Themselves.

“We just want to build off what we did last week,” he said. “Whenever you can get through a series unscathed, it’s a good thing. We’d like to do that again this week as well. We’ve been practicing well and doing a lot of hitting. Trying to sharpen up and stay fresh when we take the field.”

Brent Patterson is certainly happy to see the Bearcats taking his postseason message to heart.

The seasoned coach, who’s seen his fair share of incredible teams come through Cullman during his tenure with the program, knows having a burning desire to improve and take advantage of every presented opportunity to do so can make the ultimate difference in a advancing in the playoffs and entering the offseason filled with regret.

He likes what he’s seen from his squad, though.

“The mindset is good,” Patterson said. “I like our mentality and the practice we’ve been able to get this week. Our guys have realized it’s not a go-through-the-motions kind of deal anymore. They know we have to get better. Having said that, I think we’re getting better each and every day. And we’re getting healthier, which is really important as well.

“We’re just focusing on us. There will be one or two things we’ll look at as far as our opponent goes, but the rest will be about us and what we can control. As always, we want to pitch it and defend it. We want to play smart, and we want to value every pitch we see in our at-bats. If we do all those things, I think we’ll be just fine.”

Patterson has already noted “one or two things” about the Vikings, who are just as anxiously awaiting the visiting Black and Gold.

For one, they’re extremely well-coached and disciplined. They also present some big-time challenges at the plate and on the mound, especially when opposing squads make mistakes.

“They’ll be as prepared to play us as any team we’ve played this year,” Patterson said. “They’ll try to attack our weaknesses and are doing their homework as we speak. They have guys who can swing it and guys who can throw it. If you mess up, you’ll pay. If we go up there and aren’t disciplined and patient at the plate, we’ll be in trouble.”

At the end of the day, however, Walker is just another team standing in the way.

The goal entering the postseason for the Black and Gold?

Be better than one team at one time for five consecutive weeks.

McAdory has already bitten the dust.

If Eastman has anything to say about it, the Vikings will soon join the club.

“One week at a time,” he said. “One down, four to go.”