Kamp Fender
Garrett Frye (4) throws the ball around the infield during a baseball game between Hoover and Chelsea at the Hoover High School baseball field on Thursday, March 28, 2019. (Kamp Fender)
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.
TENNIS
The Briarwood boys tennis team won the state championship for the third consecutive season last week, scoring the maximum number of points in the tournament. Click here to read about the Lions’ triumph.
BASEBALL
Briarwood
The Briarwood baseball team used a big rally and a convincing performance to sweep a Class 5A second-round playoff series over UMS-Wright on Friday.
Game 1: Briarwood 12, UMS-Wright 10
Things began on a high note for UMS-Wright in the series opener, as it opened a 10-4 lead over visiting Briarwood. But the Lions did not go quietly into the night, as they rallied for eight runs over the final two innings to pick up a thrilling 12-10 win.
The Lions chipped away at the deficit in the sixth inning on a run-scoring hit by Wesley Helms, a Blake McKenna groundout, a Carson McKinney double and a two-run double by Christian Ferguson. Tyler Waugh then doubled home a run to tie the game at 10-10. In the seventh inning, Sam Hamner and Eli Steadman drew back-to-back bases loaded walks to force in runs and lift Briarwood to victory.
On the mound, Noah Whatley earned the win by throwing the final 1 2/3 innings of the contest, not allowing a hit or run.
Game 2: Briarwood 7, UMS-Wright 1
Briarwood struck early and often in the second game, winning 7-1 and sweeping the series. The Lions scored two runs in the first inning, one in the second and three more in the third to open up a 6-0 edge.
Whatley earned his second win of the day, parlaying his relief appearance in the first game to a solid start in the second game. He allowed five hits and no runs in four innings of work. McKenna hurled the final three innings for the Lions, allowing a hit and a run.
Briarwood advances to host Chilton County in the quarterfinals this weekend.
Chelsea
The Chelsea baseball team advanced to the Class 6A quarterfinals with a second-round series victory over Faith Academy over the weekend.
Game 1: Faith Academy 2, Chelsea 1
Austin Frye’s run-scoring single tied the game for Chelsea in the second inning of the first game, but that was all the offense the Hornets could muster in a 2-1 loss. After allowing a run in the first inning, Connor Ball settled in and pitched well. He went 5 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs on two hits while striking out 10 batters.
Faith Academy took the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly.
Game 2: Chelsea 7, Faith Academy 2
Chelsea was unfazed by its series-opening loss and took down Faith Academy 7-2 in the second game of the series. The Hornets took the lead in the first inning, as Turner Griffin scored on a passed ball. Chelsea never trailed.
Brock Hill started the game on the mound and allowed one run in three innings of work. He was relieved by Jacob Tinnell, who also allowed one run in his four innings of action. Five different players recorded RBIs for the Hornets.
Game 3: Chelsea 9, Faith Academy 6
Chelsea jumped ahead early and withstood a late rally, knocking off Faith Academy 9-6 in the decisive third game of the series. Chelsea notched two runs in the first inning on a Bennett Horton home run and opened up a 7-1 lead in the top of the fourth inning. Faith came back and cut the deficit, but the Hornets notched single runs in the sixth and seventh to keep Faith at bay.
For the Hornets, Jacob Boyle went 2-for-3 with a triple and three RBIs, while Carter Frederick came on in the seventh and pitched a scoreless frame to earn the save.
Chelsea advances to the quarterfinals this weekend and will travel to Russell County.
Oak Mountain
The Oak Mountain baseball team concluded the regular season last Monday with a 19-7 win over Gadsden City. Hunter Hall led the Eagles offense, as he went 2-for-3 with a double and five runs batted in on the game. Zach Rakers, Luke Percer and Jack Roberts each drove in two runs apiece as well.
Over the weekend, the Eagles saw their season come to an end in a three-game loss to Hewitt-Trussville in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs.
Game 1: Oak Mountain 3, Hewitt-Trussville 0
Oak Mountain registered just two hits but scored all its runs in the second inning, as the Eagles knocked off Hewitt-Trussville 3-0 in the first game. Jackson Kimbrell led off the second inning with a solo home run to put Oak Mountain on the board. The Eagles’ second run came across on Jack Wilson’s fielder’s choice and a third run scored on a balk.
Jake Rivers stepped up on the mound for Oak Mountain, as he struck out 11 batters in a six-hit shutout. Michael Fowler pitched well for the Huskies, as he struck out 13 in 6 1/3 frames.
Game 2: Hewitt-Trussville 3, Oak Mountain 2
Hewitt-Trussville rebounded from the Game 1 defeat and hung on for a 3-2 victory in the second game of the series. The Huskies dented the scoreboard first with a pair of runs in the first inning, as Kerrigan Edmonson scored on an error and Hudson Boren drove in a run with a fielder’s choice.
Oak Mountain scratched runs across in the sixth and seventh innings to close the gap, but the defensive play of the game came in the bottom of the seventh. With the tying run on third, Edmonson fielded a ground ball at first base and fired the ball to home plate, where catcher Julian Sauger fielded the short hop and made the tag to prevent the Eagles from tying the contest. Keith Lanum had three hits in the game for Hewitt.
Jared Waites went 6 1/3 innings for Hewitt-Trussville, as he struck out nine and allowed two runs on two hits. Skyler Jones earned the final two outs to notch the save. For Oak Mountain, Hansen McCown went the distance, striking out seven.
Game 3: Hewitt-Trussville 4, Oak Mountain 2
Jones’ complete game effort on Saturday lifted Hewitt-Trussville to a 4-2 win over Oak Mountain in the decisive third game of the first-round Class 7A playoff series. Jones allowed just four hits and two runs (one earned) on the afternoon to lift the Huskies to the quarterfinals.
For the Huskies, Edmonson, Tyler Mauldin, Zach Defnall and Sauger drove in runs. This weekend, Hewitt-Trussville will travel to Florence for the next round of the playoffs.
Oak Mountain’s season ends with a 30-9 record, good for only the third season in program history with 30 wins in a season.
SOFTBALL
Briarwood
The Briarwood softball team did not play last week, but plays in the Class 5A, Area 8 tournament this week. The Lions begin play on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. against Ramsay.
Chelsea
The Chelsea softball team began last week with a 10-1 loss to Thompson on Monday. The Hornets got their lone run on a Brooke Burback home run.
The Vestavia Hills softball team picked up a 4-0 win over Chelsea on Tuesday. The Rebels scored three runs in the first and another in the second and that was all pitcher Arden Plugge needed. She allowed just two hits in seven scoreless innings. Plugge also helped herself at the plate, driving in a pair of runs.
Chelsea played in the Hoover Classic over the weekend and went 1-3 in four games. The Hornets opened pool play on Friday with a 6-1 loss to Hatton. In the second game of the day, Chelsea earned a 4-0 win over Pinson Valley. Olivia Trout hit a two-run home run and did not allow a run in three innings in the circle.
On Saturday, Chelsea concluded pool play with a 5-3 loss to Austin. Lexi Serio hit a two-run homer and Karson Rich notched two hits and an RBI in the game. Chelsea was eliminated in bracket play in a 5-1 loss to Theodore.
This week, Chelsea plays in the Class 6A, Area 8 tournament. The Hornets begin their run on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. against Pelham.
Oak Mountain
On a night when the Oak Mountain softball team honored seniors Clara Fuller and M’Kiyah Mitchell, the Eagles run-ruled Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 13-1 last Tuesday. Abi Brown hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning and Riley Sullivan ended the game with a three-run homer. Dawn Autry went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Lacy Marty allowed just three runs and one hit in five innings in the circle.
Oak Mountain played in the Hoover Classic over the weekend, splitting the four games it played during the tournament. On Friday, the Eagles began pool play with a 6-1 win over Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa. Mitchell and Julia Tucker each drove in two runs and Autry tallied three hits. Marty gave up one run on five hits in five innings. Oak Mountain knocked off Austin 1-0 in the ensuing game, with the only run coming on Mitchell’s RBI single. Marty pitched a no-hitter in that contest, going five innings and striking out two.
On Saturday morning, Oak Mountain finished pool play with a 9-6 loss to Pinson Valley. Offensively, Sullivan went 3-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs in the game, while Brown notched two hits and two RBIs. The Eagles were eliminated in bracket play in a 4-2 loss to Pelham. Hannah Atwood drove in both runs for Oak Mountain.
This week, Oak Mountain plays in the Class 7A, Area 5 tournament at Thompson. The Eagles begin play on Tuesday at 4 p.m. against Tuscaloosa County.
SOCCER
Briarwood
The Briarwood boys soccer team (17-1-3) beat Parker 10-0 on Thursday in the first round of the Class 4A-5A playoffs. The Lions will host John Carroll on Tuesday in the second round at 7 p.m. Earlier in the season, Briarwood beat the Cavs 3-0 and 5-1.
The Briarwood girls (6-10-1) fell to Oak Mountain 7-0 on Tuesday before opening the playoffs with a 10-0 win over Jasper on Thursday. The Lady Lions also will face John Carroll in the second round of the playoffs on Tuesday. Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m. at John Carroll. Briarwood lost to the Lady Cavs earlier in the season 6-2 and 5-3.
Chelsea
The Chelsea girls soccer team (18-2-1) tied Class 7A Hoover 1-1 on Tuesday before beginning the 6A playoffs on Friday with a 10-0 victory over Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa.
Kailey Littleford tallied four goals and an assist; Haley Duca recorded two goals and three assists, and Lexie Duca notched three assists. The Lady Hornets will host Northridge on Tuesday at 5 p.m. in the second round of the playoffs.
The Chelsea boys soccer team (14-10) fell to 7A Mountain Brook 2-1 on Monday before opening the 6A playoffs on Friday with a 5-0 victory over Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa. The Hornets will host Pelham on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the second round. Chelsea beat its area rival earlier in the season 2-1 and 1-0.
Oak Mountain
The Oak Mountain girls soccer team (17-2-1) defeated Briarwood Christian 7-0 on Tuesday to wrap up the regular season. This Tuesday, the Lady Eagles will host Spain Park in the first round of the 7A playoffs at 7 p.m.
The Oak Mountain boys soccer team (16-7-1) dispatched Prattville 2-0 on Tuesday and Springville 6-1 on Friday in its final two games of the regular season. The Eagles will play at Vestavia Hills in the first round of the 7A playoffs on Monday at 7 p.m.
TRACK AND FIELD
Briarwood
The Briarwood track and field teams competed over the weekend at the Class 5A, Section 3 meet, hosted by James Clemens. The boys placed second, while the girls placed fourth. Individual event winners included:
- Caroline Keller (pole vault)
- Jake Nunn (400 and 800 meters)
- Trent Malloy (3,200 meters)
- Riley Margene (pole vault)
Briarwood will compete this Thursday to Saturday at the state meet in Gulf Shores.
Chelsea
Chelsea junior Teanna Cason won the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs at the 6A, Section 2 track and field meet held over the weekend at Paul Bryant High School in Tuscaloosa. She will compete this week in both events at the state meet, held Thursday to Saturday in Gulf Shores.
Oak Mountain
The Oak Mountain track and field team competed over the weekend at the 7A, Section 3 meet, hosted by Mountain Brook High School. The boys finished fifth in the team standings, while the girls finished sixth. Event winners included:
- Nicole Payne (100, 200 and 400 meters)
- Grace Campbell (long jump)
- Girls 4x400-meter relay
- Trey Allen (high jump)
- Harrison Dimick (discus)
Oak Mountain will compete this Thursday to Saturday at the state meet in Gulf Shores.
— What else would you like to see mentioned? For any suggestions, feel free to email sports editor Kyle Parmley at kparmley@starnespublishing.com.
