Jacksonville Alabama Jacksonville, AL Oxford defeats Spanish Fort 12-3 in Game 2 to win the program’s second state championship in baseball. The team is a rematch to the state championship team
By Joe Medley
Oxford is home to a brand-new state champions baseball team. It’s the second time in its history, and also it’s a bridge to 2012.
After a 10-0 win in the class of 2023 6A playoffs and let the best Oxford-team discussion begin. The coach who was on both teams thinks on this.
“That’s hard,” Wes Brooks said after the Yellow Jackets finished off Spanish Fort 12-3 in Game 2 of the Wednesday’s game at Rudy Abbott Field., “but this could be the most successful team in baseball to ever play in Oxford the history of Oxford.”
He said more, and he used appropriate terms, but let’s look at the facts.
The 2023 team was not only without a loss in the playoffs, but also was also victorious in four run-rule games .. two of them against Center Point in the first round, another over Mountain Brook in the second round, and another against Cullman during the semi-finals.
The Yellow Jackets very nearly made it five in the finals. They were down 11-0 at the fifth inning’s top, Spanish Fort scored three runs to win the game.
The score was 11-3. Oxford was also able to get runners the second and third without a run in the sixth, but only one of them crossed the line.
To be fair the 2012 team did make Oxford’s first ever state championship in any Class 6A sport prior to the introduction of Class 7A. But it was a tough season for the Yellow Jackets had two playoff games that lasted for the full three games.
Both teams from 2023 are close to tying the Oxford record of 39 wins.
The 2012 team featured superstars. Jackson Stephens and Zach Lovvorn were selected from high school, and Stephens is still playing professional … playing in Triple-A this season after playing 2022 for his parent club, the Atlanta Braves. Brothers Tucker as well as Trent Simpson, Mathew Goodson and Joe McGuire played Division I ball.
Prior to Oxford’s most recent championship run, it was possible to carve a Oxford baseball Rushmore solely in 2012. This is impressive for a school which had three state runners-up performances prior to the 2012 title.
Then 11 years pass, and nine seniors who were seven in 2012 commanded what many pre-season baseball experts considered to be the top team in all categories in 2023.
The list includes five college signees: Sam Robertson (Auburn), Peyton Watts (Troy), Drew McCormick (Jacksonville State), Jackson Crow (East Mississippi Community College) and Hayes Harrison (Northwest Shoals Community College). Junior Carter Johnson is an Alabama commitment.
Harrison was named as the reigning All-Calhoun in Class 4A-6A. County participant of the year. He was voted the most effective player in this year’s state championships.
Then, here’s the remainder of the story, let’s see what Brooks intended when he stated that 2023 could be the most successful Oxford team.
“Our top of the line arms were likely huge,” Brooks said. “We were not so disciplined like they were on the plate. We also struck out once (Tuesday). They are skilled at winning with different methods. We scored four home runs in Hartselle as well as a small-ball. two-strike discipline. Excellent spot to hit. A good depth on the field. Depth at all positions. Right-handed pinch-hitters. Left-handed pinch-hitters.
“This might be one of the more comprehensive team we’ve ever had at least as far as I’m aware of.”
Game details
Finals of Class 6A
Game 2
Spanish Fort against. Oxford, 10 a.m.
Peyton Watts on the bump for Oxford. Newton Gardner pitching for SF.
-T1: Four pitches. three outs. Oxford is about to bat.
the Carter Johnson RBI single is enough to score Watts as well as puts Oxford in the lead 1-0. Johnson gets second on the throw to home. … Hayes Harrison’s RBI single is scored by Johnson to give Oxford an two-to-one Oxford lead. … Trace Adams’ RBI single puts Oxford in front 3-0.
T3: Watts closes the game by making his signature snake-strike pickupoff move to the first base. Still 3-0.
B3 Sam Robertson squeezes Johnson at home from third base before transferring Harrison at third base and Oxford is leading by 4-0. … Trace Adams RBI double makes Oxford ahead 5-1. … Gilman single scores Adams, 6-0. … SF makes pitching changes, Jacob James for Gardner. … Nick Richardson with a two-run hit 8-0.
T4 Oxford transforms a double-play of 6-4-3 to finish the game. Still 8-0.
Robertson’s RBI single gives him 9-0. … Gilman two-run single makes Oxford ahead 11-0.
T5: Spanish Fort scores three runs to prolong the game. It’s 11-3.
B5: Nothing to report for Oxford. Still 11-3.
6. Oxford pitches a change of pitching. R.J.Brooks in place of Watts. … There’s nothing for SF but still 11-3.
B6: Harrison with a leadoff walk and Robertson with an RBI double … Trace Adams grounder is scored by Harrison for 12-3.
-” Final: Oxford wins 12-3 wins its second state championship, its second since 2012. It also sets a the school record of 39 wins. The team also tied the school record with 39 wins. Read more stories about sports…]
