JAMES NICHOLAS
Briarwood players during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Briarwood on Saturday, April 6, 2019, at Jay D. Kynerd Field in Birmingham.
Over the course of the year, 280 Living will keep you up to date on the various local high school athletic teams. For previous weekly updates, click here.
BASEBALL
Briarwood
The Briarwood baseball team began its run in the Class 5A state playoffs on Saturday, as the Lions dominated in a two-game sweep of Munford. The Lions won 11-1 and 14-0 and move on to the second round, where they will play at UMS-Wright in the second round this weekend.
In the first game against Munford, Briarwood scored in all four innings it hit and finished the game off in five innings. Wesley Helms and Sam Hamner led the offense as each doubled and drove in three runs in the game. Blake McKenna had two RBIs, while Carson McKinney allowed just one run on four hits in a complete game on the mound.
The Lions won in five innings once again in the second game, as Bryce Perrien, Helms, Hamner and Eli Steadman all drove in a pair of runs each. Noah Whatley got the start on the mound and dominated, allowing two hits over his five innings.
Chelsea
The Chelsea baseball team began last week on Monday with a 12-2 win over Homewood. The Hornets broke open a tight game with seven runs over the final two frames to put the game out of reach. Will Peacock, Austin Frye and Adam Reaves all drove in two runs each for Chelsea.
The Hornets began their run in the Class 6A playoffs on Saturday with a sweep of Northridge. Chelsea advanced to the second round of the playoffs this weekend, when the Hornets travel to take on Faith Academy.
In the first game against Northridge, a first-inning run would be all the Hornets needed in a 4-0 victory. Connor Ball took the ball and struck out eight hitters over six scoreless innings, while only allowing four hits. Nolan Forehand closed the game out with a scoreless seventh. Bennett Horton doubled and drove home two runs.
Chelsea opened up another early lead and won the second game 7-2. Forehand homered and drove in two runs for the game, while Reaves also had two RBIs. Brock Hill got the win on mound, as he went 5 2/3 innings, allowing nine runs and two hits.
Oak Mountain
The Oak Mountain baseball team picked up an area win over Tuscaloosa County last Tuesday, picking up a 5-4 win on Ryan Reuse’s walk-off hit in the bottom of the seventh inning. Tuscaloosa County took a lead with all four of its runs in the fifth, but the Eagles tied it in the bottom half of the same inning. Landon Cato went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs as well for the Eagles. Jackson Kimbrell went four innings in the start and broke the program record for career strikeouts, as he now has 191 in just 109 innings pitched. Hunter Hall got the win in relief, as he went three innings and struck out six while allowing a single unearned run.
The Eagles swept Tuscaloosa County on Wednesday to clinch their spot in the state playoffs. In the first game of the day, they defeated the Wildcats 6-0, behind a shutout from Hansen McCown. McCown allowed just five hits and struck out six in seven great innings. Kimbrell made his impact offensively, hitting a three-run home run in the fifth inning. In the second game, Oak Mountain ran away with an 11-0 victory. Turner Hughes got the win, as he struck out eight and allowed just two hits in four innings. Kimbrell drove in three more runs, while Cato had three hits — including a homer. Luke Percer and Jake Rivers had a pair of RBIs as well.
This week, the Eagles will wrap up the regular season on Monday with a doubleheader at Gadsden City. On Friday, they will begin their Class 7A first-round playoff series at Hewitt-Trussville.
SOFTBALL
Briarwood
The John Carroll softball team clinched the Class 5A, Area 8 title on Tuesday with a 12-2 win over Briarwood. The Cavs were led by Kayla Coley-Drayton, who went 2-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs in the game. Charlotte Phillips and Emma Bauer each racked up four hits, with Bauer driving in a pair of runs as well. Macey Ogle struck out 12 batters and allowed two unearned runs in six innings of work.
Briarwood picked up a couple area wins on Wednesday, as the Lions defeated Ramsay 4-2 and beat Woodlawn 13-2. Against Ramsay, Caroline Campbell drove in two runs and pitched the final 2 1/3 innings in scoreless fashion.
This week, the Lions wrap up the regular season on Thursday at home against Homewood.
Chelsea
The Chelsea softball team shut out Sumiton Christian 3-0 last Monday to begin a full week of action. The Hornets got a three-hit shutout performance in the pitching circle from Abigail Bryars, who struck out eight over seven innings. Olivia Bergert drove in a run for Chelsea and Chloe Eidson tallied three hits.
Chelsea fell to area foe Helena 4-3 on Tuesday, as Torie White drove in all four runs for Helena. After Eidson drove in a pair to give Chelsea an early lead, White hit a three-run homer to put the Huskies ahead. Chelsea tied the game in the fifth and White responded in the bottom half with the go-ahead hit.
Pelham knocked off Chelsea 6-2 in another area contest on Wednesday. Eidson and Camryn Smith drove in the runs for the Hornets.
This week, the Hornets wrap up the regular season with a busy week. They host Thompson on Monday, Vestavia Hills on Tuesday and Sumiton Christian on Thursday before playing in the Hoover Classic over the weekend.
Oak Mountain
The Oak Mountain softball dropped an area contest to Thompson last Tuesday, 9-8 in eight innings. The Eagles took an 8-3 lead in the fourth inning but were unable to hang onto that edge, as Grace Robertson walked it off with a home run in the bottom of the eighth. M’Kiyah Mitchell led the Oak Mountain offense, as she went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs. Grace Hummel and Hannah Atwood each drove in a pair of runs as well.
This week, the Eagles wrap up the regular season with a home game against Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Tuesday and a trip to Prattville on Thursday. They will then play in the Hoover Classic over the weekend.
TENNIS
The Briarwood tennis teams swept top honors at the Class 6A, Section 4 tournaments this week. On Monday, the girls team won five of the six singles brackets and two of the three doubles brackets to win the tournament and qualify for the state tournament. The boys also qualified for state on Tuesday, sweeping every single spot. The state tournament is set for Monday and Tuesday at the Mobile Tennis Center.
SOCCER
Briarwood
The Briarwood boys soccer team (16-1-3) wrapped up Class 4A-5A, Area 7 play with an undefeated record after downing John Carroll 5-1 on Tuesday. The Lions will host a first-round playoff game this week.
The Briarwood girls (2-9-1) fell to John Carroll 5-3 on Tuesday.
Chelsea
The Chelsea girls soccer team (17-2) routed Chilton County 14-0 on Wednesday. Lexie Duca, a senior, notched her 100th career assist in the win. The Lady Hornets will host a 6A first-round playoff game this week.
The Chelsea boys (13-9) fell to Northridge 1-0 on Tuesday before rebounding with a 7-2 win over Chilton County on Wednesday. Lando Nichols scored a hat trick in the victory. The Hornets will host a 6A first-round playoff game this week.
Oak Mountain
The Oak Mountain girls soccer team (16-2-1) finished 7A, Area 5 play with an undefeated record last week. The Lady Eagles beat Hoover 1-0 on Tuesday and Thompson 6-0 on Thursday.
The Oak Mountain boys (14-7) lost to Altamont 2-1 on Monday and beat Thompson 3-2 on Wednesday.
— What else would you like to see mentioned? For any suggestions, feel free to email sports editor Kyle Parmley at kparmley@starnespublishing.com.
