By Robert Hudson

The Selma Times-Journal

The Opp All-Stars controlled the game for four innings, but it was Auburn who would prevail as they won 4-1 to capture the Dixie Majors 17-18-19 year old state championship at Bloch Park.

Auburn advances to its second straight World Series, this being the same team that won the World Series as 15 and 16-year olds last year.

They will represent the state of Alabama as they face Louisiana, a team they played twice in last year’s World Series, in Ozark, Ala. on July 30.

“It’s good to set a goal and accomplish a goal,” said Auburn coach Kennon Whaley. “We came to the state tournament with a goal to get to the World Series and, fortunately, things turned out good for us.”

Opp coach Jay Jackson said his team just didn’t produce enough offense.

“We played a good game,” said Jackson. “Our pitcher Josh Dewrell threw a real good game. We just didn’t get enough hits.”

Behind Dewrell’s strong pitching performance, and solid team defense, Opp held a 1-0 lead until Tracy Brooks was hit by a pitch with bases loaded to bring in the tying run for Auburn in the fifth inning.

The run sparked Auburn as Chase Edwards hit a single to drive in the go-ahead run in the sixth.

Auburn would pad its lead in the seventh with RBI singles from Blake Smith and Dalton Pritchett.

Opp’s only run came on an RBI single by Josh Thompson in the second inning.

“We didn’t enough hits,” said Jackson. “It’s kind of plagued us all year long. Give credit to Auburn. They’re a good team. They’re the best team and they did a good job.”

Jackson said he is proud of his team despite the loss.

“We played well all year,” said Jackson. “We’ve got a good group. We were just spotty with our hitting and it finally caught up with us today.”