FLORENCE - Mars Hill has shown the ability to win games in a lot of ways during its run to the Class 2A baseball state championship series.

The Panthers have won eight of nine playoff games, including several close ones, en route to today's doubleheader against Leroy at Paterson Field in Montgomery. Today's doubleheader begins at 1 p.m. A third game, if necessary, will be played Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Mars Hill coach Jay Mitchell said having seven seniors on his team has played a big role in the Panthers' playoff run.

"There is no real key to our team, other than the mental part of the game," Mitchell said. "It has been something different every game with this team. Last week, it was Martin Leavitt making a big catch and C.K. Irby throwing well. This team just has the ability to stay focused in tight games, and our seven seniors are a big reason for that."

Mars Hill's seven seniors were seventh-graders when Mitchell, a former Mars Hill player, became the Panthers' head coach six years ago. As the group moved up to the varsity, they became accustomed to making deep runs in the postseason.

"We went to the second round my freshman year and then to the third round the past two years," senior catcher/pitcher Randy Gooch said. "We sort of moved up each year. This year, we've been able to stay focused and we've come ready to play every time. That's what we have to continue to do."

Mars Hill (29-5) is making its first appearance in a state championship series since 1997. The Panthers won back-to-back Class 1A state titles in 1977-78, but have yet to win another, despite several appearances in the finals.

Mitchell, who played in a state championship series with Mars Hill in 1993, said this team has helped bring back the proud baseball tradition.

"This team has been huge in turning things around," he said. "We've won a lot of close games, and they've been exciting. We're not exactly killing people, but we just find a way to win."

The Panthers know they face a big challenge today against Leroy (34-5), the defending state champion. Mitchell, however, said he is more concerned with his own team than with Leroy.

"If we play well we'll be in the games, and if we don't play well, we won't," he said. "We expect it to be a battle."

Mars Hill's seven seniors include Gooch, Leavitt, Jonathan Florida, Ben Wright, Justin Beckman, Lee Williams and Will Myhan.

Gooch said the Panthers will try to keep doing the same things today that have carried them during the playoffs.

"We've got to keep making plays and hitting the ball well," Gooch said. "Our hitting has really picked up lately. Even many of our outs are long outs. We've also hardly had any errors in the playoffs, and we've got to keep that up.

"I'm happy we're playing so quickly this week because I get really anxious waiting around all week. We've been waiting a long time for this, especially us seniors. We're ready to get it going and try to bring home a state championship."

Jeff McIntyre can be reached at 740-5737 or jeff.mcintyre@timesdaily.com.