Ahead of their rivalry matchups next week, the Southwest baseball and softball teams were joined by the Co-Lin softball team for a joint press conference and barbecue lunch Friday in Summit.
Radio station K106 partners with Coca-Cola to sponsor the Bears and Wolves' annual meetings in baseball and softball, and the organizations have hosted this complimentary lunch for each school since 2005.
Prior to the meal, Coca-Cola Area Sales Manager Barney Albritton took to the stage and talked about the history of the event as well as the impact his company has had on the local area and how important it is for them to work alongside SMCC and Co-Lin.
Then, Lady Wolves coach Meleah Howard, Lady Bears coach Shea Johnson and Southwest baseball coach Jack Edmonson each addressed how their respective seasons have gone thus far and their anticipation for the upcoming rivalry bouts.
The coaches then fielded questions from media members before food was served.
"Our conference is so talented throughout, so every game really matters," Howard said regarding the upcoming games. "You've got to win them."
Johnson agreed, adding that there is an added important to protect home turf in such a strong league.
"You have to win at home and then get a couple on the road to have a chance at getting into the regional playoffs," Johnson explained. "So even with this being a rivalry, we have to prepare the same no matter who the opponent is."
Edmonson also spoke on the recruiting competition that exists between schools that are in such close proximity, stating that this annual series carries much more weight than just how it impacts the teams' records.
"It helps in recruiting for whichever team wins to control the area," Edmonson said. "We fight over this area tremendously because there's not an unlimited amount of quality players here, so we try really hard to keep them home."
The Co-Lin baseball team was unable to attend due to it scheduling makeup games for this day.
Regarding the matchups themselves, the respective baseball teams will get the week started with a double-header on Tuesday in Wesson, with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m.
The softball squads will then clash Wednesday in another pair of games, with the first game set to begin at 3 p.m. in Summit.
The Lady Wolves bring a 17-3 record (4-0 MACCC) into the games against the Lady Bears, who stand at 8-14 (2-2).
Meanwhile, the Co-Lin baseball team has a mark of 17-10 (1-1), while Southwest's group sits at 10-15 (1-1).
