In game one of the Dixie Majors state tournament at Bloch Park in Slema 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.

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.”