Pinson Valley’s Rudd Mauldin making a throw in the 2016 Jefferson County Baseball Tournament. Him and the Indians host Walker in the first round of the playoffs. 

It’s almost that time of the year again. The time of the year when wins and losses matter more than ever.

Five area teams, including Gardendale, Pinson Valley, Mortimer Jordan, Corner and Fultondale, won their respective areas to host opening-round matchups starting this Friday (Class 3A Fultondale starts postseason play on Wednesday).

Class 6A playoffs

After taking the Area 11 crown, Gardendale (24-11) is set to host Area 12 runner-up Clay-Chalkville to start the state playoffs.

The Rockets enter postseason play fresh off an impressive weekend in Hoover. They got Saturday started with a 2-1 win over Class 7A No. 7 Hoover before downing Class 4A No. 6 Cherokee County by a count of 5-3.

Gardendale swept the Cougars (17-14) out of the first round a season ago. The Friday doubleheader is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. A decisive third game would be played on Saturday at 1 p.m.

The winner of the Gardendale series will battle the winner of the Walker (23-12) at Pinson Valley (22-16) series in Round 2.

After a slow start to the season, Pinson Valley has won nine of its last 10 games, according to c2cschools.com. The Indians went on a similar tear before advancing to the 2015 semifinals, where they lost to the eventual state champions, Cullman.

Pinson Valley welcomes the Area 11 runner-up for a Friday doubleheader starting at 4:30 p.m. An if-necessary game would take place on Saturday at noon.

Class 5A playoffs

Mortimer Jordan (23-17) gets its playoff run started at home against Area 12 runner-up St. Clair County (9-16). Friday’s double dip is scheduled for 5 and 7:30 p.m. An if-necessary game would be played on Saturday at 1 p.m.

The winner gets the winner of Moody at Alexandria in Round 2.

Corner (23-18) took the top spot in Area 10, landing the Yellow Jackets at home in the first round of the state playoffs. Wenonah (13-5) is the challenge starting at 4:30 and 7 p.m. on Friday. A Friday split would result in a Saturday contest scheduled for 1 p.m.

Waiting in the second round is the winner of Pleasant Grove at Ramsay.

Class 3A playoffs

Fultondale (11-11) will begin playoff action on Wednesday, when they host Lamar County (12-15) at 1 and 4 p.m. The if-necessary game would be played on Thursday at 1 p.m.

The Area 8 champions feel good about their pitching heading into the playoffs.

“I think our pitching is getting hot at the right time and our bats are starting to come along,” said Fultondale coach Adam Bice. “If we make our plays in the field we will be giving ourself a chance, which is all you can ask for once playoffs come along.”

Erik Harris is the Sports Editor of The North Jefferson News. Email him at njnsports@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jeharris2.