For any Demopolis Academy baseball fan, the month of May is special.

During 11 of the past 17 months of May, the Generals have won a Baseball State Championship.

With every year that passes and every championship won, the Generals edge closer to claiming a dynasty that may last throughout an entire generation.

But, as coach Walker Reynolds is quick to point out, "they don’t just give them to you.

Indeed, coach Reynolds speaks from experience, as he has won four titles in his five years of coaching at DA.

When asked about this year’s team (currently 9-13) and their chances, there was no hesitation. "We want to win the State Championship again," the DA coach said. "Our guys have talked about it, and that’s their goal. They will be disappointed with anything else."

On the surface, that seems to be lofty expectations for a team heavily dependent on underclassmen, but Reynolds says that the young players on this team are tried and true.

“Experience has also taught our players that now is the time to step up the intensity," Reynolds said, "and they’ve responded.

You can tell that the players sense it, and our practices have reflected it.”

After a 0-8 start to the season, the Generals have certainly taken their baseball to a higher level, winning nine of their last 14 games. In area play, DA currently holds a slim lead with two games remaining against Central Christian. The teams are scheduled to play Wednesday.

Historically, the Generals have won their titles with pitching and errorless defense, and Reynolds admits that this team has struggled throughout the year in those areas.

If the Generals can get by Central Wednesday, they will host the first round of the AISA state playoffs May 7 and 8 at the Demopolis SportsPlex.

The winner of a best-of-three series will gain a berth in the Final Four double-elimination tournament held in Selma the week after.