Posted: Thu, 28 May 2009 12:39 PM - 10,486 Readers

By: Sean Horejs

The Calallen baseball team is all set for a playoff rematch.

The second-ranked Cats will take on number three Lake Travis in Austin, in game one of a three game set on Friday, a team they swept last year.

"Every once in awhile we have to come out here and just get dirty and play in the mud a little bit," infielder Dustin Vaughan said.

The defenders of the 4A Title spent the afternoon slogging barefoot through the mud, getting their field back in shape in the wake of heavy rains.

"This is like the first time this has ever happened to us. We have to clean up the field because it rained today, but we're all right," infielder Roland Resendez said.

However, on Friday, the real work begins. Lake Travis brings a 29-3 record into the region semifinal series. The Cats beat them 3-0 and 5-4 last season, but they know the Cavs are loaded with talented athletes.

"I expect nothing different. I expect a tough series to go through. They have two good pitchers that I think we're ready for, but we're just going to have to bring our best game," Vaughan said.

"They've got good pitching again and they swing the bat real well and seem to be real solid overall. We expect it to be a very tough series," Coach Steve Chapman said.

Just being in a three-game series is a relief for Calallen. One hit was enough for them to beat Ray in a one-game playoff, and they had to come from behind to beat Alice in a one-gamer.

"It's very difficult going in those one-game series because anything can happen between a good team and a bad team. But, it's very nice coming out with a three-game series. It's going to be one of our toughest challenges besides San Antonio Reagan. They're a very good team. We'll hopefully come out with the victory," Resendez said.