Bobcats advance to state baseball tournament in Selma

Opp’s DaKota King threw a two-hitter, struck out 12 batters and allowed no runs in a complete game, 7-0 shutout over Zion Chapel Wednesday night in the Dixie Majors District 6 Championship.

King was on his game early in the outing and let the Rebels know he was in charge in the first by striking out the first three at the plate.

The Bobcats ended the tournament on a three-game win streak as they enter the state tournament next weekend in Selma.

Zion Chapel had an opportunity to score early to take the lead in the second inning of the championship, but Opp played good defense despite a bad throw to third to get the runner out at second with two outs.

In the top of the third, the Bobcats got on board after Colt Harrell reached on two errors.

Harrell later came around to score when Jud Owens hit into a ground out at short stop to make it a 1-0 game.

The game stayed that way until the top of the sixth, where the Bobcats tacked on one run after John Bess crossed the plate on a force out at first base.

Opp gave King some insurance — which he didn’t need in reality — in the final inning with five runs in the seventh.

Chase Short hit an RBI double, and King hit an RBI single to lead the inning.

Short went 3-for-4 to lead Opp; Harrell and Holt Hall had one hit each.

For Zion Chapel, Griffin had two hits.

In Dixie Pre-Majors action, Opp fell 6-4 to Ozark.

The Eagles took an early lead they’d never relinquish, which ended up being the difference of the game.

Ozark scored two runs in the first inning; one run each in the second and third; and two runs in the fifth.

Opp scored two runs in the third inning, and had a rally going in the seventh, but fell short.

Logan Bailey went 2-for-4 to lead the Bobcats; Cale Pierce went 1-for-2; Dalton Tidwell went 1-for-1; and Parker Bracker went 1-for-3.

For Ozark, Will Harrell had three hits to lead the Eagles.

Pierce allowed four runs in 4.1 innings of work to get the loss.

Opp elected not to play at the state tournament even though they earned a berth with its second-place finish.

Ozark and Taylor Rehobeth will represent the district at the state tournament.