Oxford, AL – With two strong days of baseball and one walk off strike, Whitman and Bradford take the opportunity to show their best for Oxford during the Spring Experience
Oxford freshmen Bryson Bradford takes a game-ending hit in the game of Oxford to beat Fayetteville in a game on Tuesday. (Courtesy of Patrick Harrison)
Joe Medley Joe Medley
The funny thing is that when baseball begins to look fat. Sometimes, it looks as big on the high school level as it does at junior varsity. Oxford sophomore Bryson Bradford drove the ball with a fat swoop Tuesday. The resultant RBI hit in the last inning of the fifth finished Oxford’s 12-2 win in the opening game of a doubleheader with Fayetteville on Choccolocco Park. New pitcher Canaan Whitman pitched in the two final hit-free and scoreless innings, was able to complete the game with two walks and a strikeout. The Yellow Jackets (16-4) followed up with a 13-1 win in the second match to keep their winning streak towards their Spring Experience, their annual spring break showcase
Oxford beat a doubleheader to Central-Phenix City winning 13-0 as well as 12-1 in Hoover High School on Monday. The doubleheaders provided a huge amount of what spring-break baseball is … an opportunity for youngsters to play their skills. “Had an opportunity today in game 2 in which I played a bunch of players,” Oxford coach Wes Brooks stated. “(Reid) Maniscalco played short yesterday. (Caleb) Robertson played second and Robertson played second today and those youngsters were able to play. (Gavin) Griner was able play outfield, while (Eli) Bozeman got to play center field and right field on Saturday and was able to hit. “I believe that everyone was to play today, except Forrest Heacock. But it’s an off day for Forrest Heacock. Overall it was a successful day, and we’re going to need events like these.”
The Spring Experience plays out this week and into next week mostly in Choccolocco Park. The teams from Golden, Colo., Stow, Ohio and Hickman, Mo,. are expected to join in and there is a possibility of a appearance of Orange Lutheran (Calif.). “They’re participating in Hoover’s spring-break tournament however they’re not part of this tournament.” Brooks said. “They have just arrived to play a doubleheader while on the route to Florida. “They’re supposed to against us if their California local baseball league permits them to play an additional game. The rules of their association are slightly different.”
Local teams in addition to Oxford scheduled to take part during the Experience include Handley Ohatchee, Piedmont, Randolph County, Wellborn and White Plains. Brooks changes the schedule on a daily basis. “This year, it’s a bit odd since there aren’t many people taking a break for spring during the week of this,” Brooks said. “Next week it’s a bit different as there are 40-something teams.” There are games that Brooks will be looking to test his most effectively against the top players. There will be games where Brooks can mix young players with the more experienced.
A shortstop who is Auburn signing Sam Robertson continues to rest from the injury to his left knee which he sustained during the Perfect Game tournament two weeks back creates a new opening for Fayetteville on Tuesday. Whitman received the call to pitch the fourth inning and take an 8-2 advantage. He smacked a batter, then took a walk, prompting Brooks to walk out and get him settled. Whitman did not have any issues after that. “I simply had to breathe deeply and remind myself that it’s a sport,” Whitman said. “Have fun. … Always fun to test our defenses.” Read more… Read More…]
