TIFTON — The Tift County Blue Devils baseball team is so anxious to begin the 2008 Class AAAAA state baseball playoffs, they are going to leave a day early.

Tift, the fourth seed from Region 1, will travel over to face the Camden County Wildcats, the Region 3 champions today. The series will begin tomorrow at 4:30 p.m., with a second game following. If a third game is needed in the best-of-three series it will be played at 1 p.m. Saturday.

The Devils are leaving a day early in order to get a chance to practice on the Camden field.

Camden will be a formidable foe for the Devils. The Wildcats made the state Final Four last season, and even though that squad had seven players sign college scholarships, Camden is still a loaded team.

“They have seven seniors, and they are used to winning,” said Tift coach Chuck Beale. “They have a good program. (Camden head) coach (Jay) Lasley has done a good job with them.”

Beale continued, “They do a lot of sacrificing, and hit-and-run plays. They know how to play the game.”

The Tift County coach said that Camden was strong across the board, but he did highlight two players.

“We have heard a lot of good things about (Trey) Ripley. He is a left-handed pitcher (and outfielder). Also, (catcher Tyler) Snellgrove is in their three hole, so you know he has to be a good hitter,” said Beale.

“But, all of them are good players.”

While Ripley is expected to be the game one starter Friday for Camden, Beale indicated he would counter with Matthew Brunty as his starter.

A senior, Brunty recently signed with Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. He is 3-5 on the year with a 2.65 ERA. Another senior, Ben Watson, is expected to be the game two starter for Tift County. Watson is 6-4 on the year with a 4.52 ERA.

Chance Veazey will lead the Tift offense, as he is batting .438 in 2008. Jacob Stinson is at .342, while Tyce Moore is at .338.

Brunty is batting .321, and Sy Crumley will check into the series with a .316 average.

For those of you going to the game, the field is located off of Exit 6 on I-95. Heading to the west side of the interstate, you will be on Laurel Island Parkway. You go approximately one mile west and turn right onto Wildcat Drive. Go approximately 1/2 mile and the field will be on your right.

There will be a sendoff for the team today at 1:45 at the Tift County High Field House parking lot. Fans are encouraged to come and help send the team off.