On Friday, the Opelika Jr. High Baseball team kicked off the 2026 season with a strong performance, winning both games against W.F. Burns from West Ridge Park at the Opelika Parks and Recreation ball fields.
In the first game, Opelika secured a 3-2 victory, pushing across the game-winning run in the fifth inning. Solid pitching and timely hitting were key factors in their success throughout both matchups.
“I’m glad we secured a win against a really good team like Valley. While I wish we had a bit more consistency in our hitting, I am very pleased with our pitching, and I thought our defense performed well, too. Offensively, we came through with timely hits when we needed them. I am incredibly proud of our boys for never giving up, and that’s all I can ask of them. Great effort!” said Opelika Middle School Head Baseball Coach Kyle Granger.
The Dawgs completed the sweep in game two, winning 3-1.
On the other hand, W.F. Burns, who were just a play or two away from victory, will seek to make adjustments to get back on track.
“I think tonight went a lot better than we could have hoped. Coming into the first game of the year, you never know what to expect, and I think that was an outstanding game. There were little to no errors on both sides, and the biggest thing we preach is how we handle failure and how we respond to it. The effort is definitely there,” said W.F. Burns Head Baseball Coach David Hall.
Next up for W.F. Burns is a showdown with Callaway on Tuesday.
