• Admirals advance to round two 

DAPHNE— No. 1 Bayside Academy broke away from a 1-1 tie with a big fifth inning and defeated visiting Opp 7-1 in Game Three Saturday in the first round of the 3A state playoffs. Cal Masterson and Conner Sirmon each had two-run doubles, while Austin Chastang had an RBI single in the 6-run rally.

William Fleming scattered three hits and struck out two through six innings for the win.

"My arm felt really good today,” Fleming said. “I was filling up the zone and locating my fastball. I knew my defense was going to play well behind me."

Thomas Boothe closed out the final inning for the Admirals with two strikeouts and one walk. The Admirals improved to 23-6 in the best-of-three series after dropping the opener 2-0 and winning Game Two 12-2.

The Bobcats (17-12) took a 1-0 lead in the third inning when Britt Buckelew singled in Greg House. Masterson doubled and scored the tying run in the Bayside fourth on a fielder's choice by Sirmon. 

"William Fleming did a good job for us on the mound this afternoon, “ said Bayside coach Doug Leffard. “He's a senior and he's been through these types of situations before. I'm very proud of him. Our defense also made some plays to keep it close. We just kind of stayed with our game plan after Opp went ahead early. We were taking some pretty good swings. We finally got some balls to fall. Give credit to Opp, though, this was a tough series." 

In Game Two, Bayside scored five runs in the first inning and added 7 for the 12-2 win. Jack Barnard (5-2) threw a two-hitter for the win. William Warner had three singles and a double. Fleming added a two-run single and Austin Chastang an RBI double. 

Cody Anderson (8-2) led Opp to the 2-0 shutout win in the opener. He allowed five hits, three walks and struck out three.

Round 2: Bayside travels to Brewton face T.R. Miller (25-7) in the second round of the 3A state playoffs. T.R. Miller advanced to the second round by sweeping Cottage Hill Christian on Friday 4-0 and 6-2.