Straughn almost blew a 6-1 lead against Opp on Friday night, when the Bobcats cut in the Tigers’ lead by one after the sixth, but the Tigers held on late to beat the Bobcats 7-6 in the first game of the doubleheader at Merchant’s Field.

With the five-run deficit, Opp scored two runs in the fifth inning with two outs, and added two runs in the sixth that cut the game to one.

Straughn added one run in the seventh on an error, and then Beau Spivey came in for the Tigers to get the save, allowing one hit and striking out one.

Opp went on to claim the night cap with an 11-4 win over the Tigers.

The Bobcats scored five runs in the third inning in the win.

Complete stats from the second game were not available when The Star-News went to press Friday night.

 

Straughn 7, Opp 6

(game 1)

With a 2-1 lead, Straughn scored four runs in the fifth inning to take the outright advantage in the first-game win.

Tigers’ second baseman Taylor Messick led the fifth with a double and later came in on a sac fly by Doug Mosley.

Zack Turvin, who walked, scored on a walk to Johnny Owens and the Tiger led 4-1 with one out.

Chase Short stole home and Lane Sirmon hit an RBI double to score Keith Edgar and SHS took a 6-1 lead.

Opp bounced back in the fifth with two runs on an RBI double by Trey Short to score Thomas Weed, and a baulk that scored Dane Buckelew.

What kept the game close between the two rivals were double plays.

Straughn got a key double play with two on base in the fourth inning and added another in the fifth, also with two on base.

Opp got a double play in the third and forced an out on a run down in the fifth.

The Bobcats got to within two runs in the sixth, thanks to an RBI double from Hunter Roeser and a sac grounder by Cody Chatham that scored Colt Harrell.

The Tigers got their seventh run on an error in right, and kept the Bobcats from scoring the game-tying run in the bottom half of the frame on a throw from second to home, where Turvin got the tag.

Opp took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI from Davis on a ground out.

Straughn tied the game in the top of the third inning when Short doubled lead-off hitter Turvin home.

Brett Hudson got the win on the mound for the Tigers. Hudson allowed two runs on thre hits in 2.0 innings.

Opp’s Dakota King got the loss.

Mosley, Short, Owens, Sirmon and Brennan Head had one RBI each for the Tigers. Short, Turvin and Messick had two hits each to lead SHS.

Trey Short, Ethan Davis, Roeser and Brady Vidich had one RBI each for the Bobcats.

T.J. Register, Vidich and Weed had two hits each to lead OHS.

Straughn will visit Andalusia on Monday for a single area game. Opp will host Luverne in a single area game, also on Monday. The first pitch for both games is slated for 5 p.m.