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DCS catcher Corbin Curtis throws a baseball during the practice. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

DCS head coach Jarrettt Hoffpauir speaks to his players during a recent practice. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

DCS pitcher Lee Lancaster throws a pitch. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

DCS catcher Corbin Curtis throws a baseball during the practice.

DCS pitcher Lee Lancaster gets set to throw a pitch during a practice. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

DCS pitcher Lee Lancaster gets set to throw a pitch during a practice. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

DCS catcher Corbin Curtis throws a baseball during the practice. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

They’ve practiced, they’ve scrimmaged and they’ve waited, and now Delta Charter School’s baseball team is ready.

After being admitted to the LHSAA a year ago, the Storm will receive its first ever chance at the playoffs for the 2017 season.

“Our guys are excited and are finally getting to play for something,” DCS coach Jarrett Hoffpauir said.

The Storm, who finished last season at 11-10, served a mandatory year-long probation, which marks any athletic program that is accepted into the LHSAA ineligible for any honors at the state level, including championship recognition.

Playoff contention isn’t the only first for Delta Charter this year, either.

The school is only four years old, making this the first year to yield a senior class.

Senior pitcher Lee Lancaster and catcher Corbin Curtis will head the pack.

“We will follow their lead,” Hoffpauir said. “(Lancaster) is a great hand and a good player overall, and (Curtis) does a really good job of taking control of game. They are the center of the whole plan, and what they do will dictate the success we have.”

Although nobody knows what the future will hold for DCS, Lancaster is eager for the chance to leave his mark as not only the team’s No. 1 pitcher, but also its lead-off hitter.

His biggest goal is to win at least one playoff game.

“I feel like I have a lot of weight on my shoulders because there are only two (seniors),” Lancaster said. “It’s a big responsibility to take, but we have to leave something for them to pick up. I’m ready to get out there and play.”

For Curtis, this season is all about seeing the hard work pay off.

“I’m most excited about winning games and seeing how many we can get,” he said. “We are bound to have some weaknesses somewhere, but we will just practice to make them better. Every team should shoot for a state championship, and we are going to see what happens for us.”

Hoffpauir said that in his eyes, defense is what needs the most development. He realizes since his team is young, however, it will take time for things to fall into place.

Alongside Lancaster and Curtis, the Storm will start a handful of underclassmen, including two freshmen.

“Right now, we are learning to play the game the right way,” Hoffpauir said. “I want us to work on consistency, and when its playoff time, we will be able to keep doing what we are doing and not have to change anything.”

Hoffpauir also hopes that his team’s enthusiasm rolls over for years to come.

“With Lee and Carson leading the way and the rest of the guys filling in, it’s unique,” he said. “We will never get to do this again, and it’s one of those things we are very fortunate for. We are going to build on it and keep getting better.”

Delta Charter will host its first game of the season Feb 21. against LaSalle.

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