Opp, Morgan take wins

Published 11:47 pm Thursday, July 14, 2011

Opp’s Lance Robbins ropes a double in the third inning of his side’s 10-6 win over Sheffield during the first game of the Dixie Majors state championship tournament at Bloch Park Thursday. -- Chris Wasson

In game one of the Dixie Majors state tournament at Bloch Park Thursday, Opp started strong and held on at the end, taking down Sheffield 9-6.

“We are certainly happy with the win,” Opp head coach Jay Jackson said. “We aren’t going to complain about it. We got a little lazy at the end there. We are proud of the win and we get to stay in the winner’s bracket, but we can play better.”

Opp was able to strike first in the top of the third inning, putting up four runs, but Sheffield responded in their half of the inning with runs from Jave Hunter and Clay Weaver to pull to 4-2.

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Opp scored another three runs in the top of the fourth to further the gap and looked to have a strangle hold on the game, after taking on unanswered runs in the top of the fifth and top of the seventh innings to push the score to 9-2.

Sheffield wouldn’t go quietly though, scoring four runs in the bottom of the seventh before Opp closer Britt Wilson shut the door.

“I’m proud of the way these guys fought,” Sheffield coach Scott Arndt said. “We lost the game to a good opponent, but tomorrow’s another day.”

In game two, Morgan County’s head coach Perry Freeman didn’t think his team hit the ball very well Thursday, but if that’s the case, things are looking good for his side.

Freeman’s bunch displayed solid starting pitching from James Vinton and timely hitting in a 10-4 win over Southeastern (Montgomery) at Bloch Park in game two of the Dixie Majors state championship in Selma.

Southeastern tried to comeback in the top of the sixth, but were only able to muster three run, but Morgan County responded with three of their own to shut the door.’
“This is why we get to play at least two games,” Southeastern coach Steve Rodopoulous said. “We’ll try again tomorrow.”