In the span of a few hours, the Vicksburg Gators’ outlook for the playoffs swung dramatically.

Two key injuries and a couple of losses on the field turned them from a team with the potential to be a sleeper in Class 5A, to one with a lot of holes that might be challenged just to survive the first round.

The Gators’ playoff run starts today at 5 p.m. at Bazinsky Field against Saltillo, in Game 1 a best-of-three Class 5A play-in round series.

Vicksburg is seeking its first playoff series win since reaching the Class 4A championship series in 2008.

“It seems like just yesterday we were at Trustmark. It just show you we’re getting old,” Vicksburg coach Ryan Grey said. “These guys have never tasted victory in the playoffs, and that just goes to show you it’s time to get the winning tradition back at Vicksburg High School.”

The Gators (11-15), though, are heading into the postseason on a five-game losing streak and might be missing the left side of their infield.

Shortstop Michael Rohrer injured his groin Monday against Northwest Rankin, and third baseman Jekori Reed hurt his wrist later that night against St. Aloysius.

Rohrer leads the team in hitting with a .393 average, and has five doubles and 13 RBIs. Reed is second on the team with a .381 average, along with nine doubles and 17 RBIs.

Grey said their status wouldn’t be decided until today.

“Both are pretty sore and will rest (Wednesday) and be game time decisions,” Grey said. “I don’t think they’re major injuries, but both can affect their play. We will just have to see how they feel Thursday and roll from there. It’s going to take a lot to keep those guys out. They are warriors.”

Rohrer and Reed are also key components of the Gators’ pitching staff. They’ve combined to throw 43 innings.

There is plenty of depth, however, to cover for their absence on that front if they’re unable to play.

Probable Game 1 starter Tyler Smith is 3-3 with 26 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings. Will Martin and Sean East have both thrown more than 20 innings this season, and Joshua Daffron is capable of eating some innings if needed.

“All of those guys can give us innings if we need them,” Grey said. “We don’t have a sure No. 1 or No. 5. They’re all good in their own aspects.”

Although a lot seems to be going against them right now, the Gators still have the potential to hang around a while in the playoffs.

They had a five-game winning streak this season in which they scored a total of 59 runs, and were a handful of plays away from winning the Division 4-5A championship.

Saltillo (13-14) also appears to be an evenly matched opponent.

“We’ve got a team capable, if we put it together, to go on a run,” Grey said. “Hopefully we can get on a win-a-couple streak. Roll off seven, eight wins in a row and next thing you know we’re at Pearl. That’s the great thing about the playoffs — it’s all about getting hot at the right time.”