After another long and entertaining 2023 high school season, the Class 7A-1A State Championship Series are finally here and there are some big time matchups across all classifications. For the second-consecutive season, this year's series will take place at Choccolocco Park (Oxford, AL) and Jacksonville State University, two of the top venues across the state that are within 20 miles of each other. All Game 1's of each series will be played at Choccolocco Park, while Games 2 and 3 (if necessary) will wrap up at Jacksonville State University. Play will get started on Monday, May 15th and will run through Friday, May 19th in the Oxford/Jacksonville area.

Covering the high school season from start to finish, our staff will be in attendance at every game during this week's finals series. Although it's been a long road for all of these teams to get to this point of the season, there's still much baseball left to be played over the next few days to determine who will hoist the Blue Map in all seven classifications. Below, you will find all pertinent information regarding this week's action, including full schedules, series previews, players to watch, and much more.  

 

Monday, May 15th

TEAM	TEAM	TIME	LOCATION	CLASSIFICATION
Appalachian	Brantley	4:00 PM	Choccolocco Park	Class 1A, Game 1
Ariton	Vincent	7:00 PM	Choccolocco Park	Class 2A, Game 1

 

Tuesday, May 16th

TEAM	TEAM	TIME	LOCATION	CLASSIFICATION
Appalachian	Brantley	10:00 AM	Jacksonville State	Class 1A, Game 2/3
Ariton	Vincent	4:00 PM	Jacksonville State	Class 2A, Game 2/3
Oxford	Spanish Fort	4:00 PM	Choccolocco Park	Class 6A, Game 1
Etowah	UMS-Wright	7:00 PM	Choccolocco Park	Class 4A, Game 1

 

Wednesday, May 17th

TEAM	TEAM	TIME	LOCATION	CLASSIFICATION
Oxford	Spanish Fort	10:00 AM	Jacksonville State	Class 6A, Game 2/3
Etowah	UMS-Wright	4:00 PM	Jacksonville State	Class 4A, Game 2/3
Gordo	Houston Academy	4:00 PM	Choccolocco Park	Class 3A, Game 1
Central-Phenix City	Vestavia Hills	7:00 PM	Choccolocco Park	Class 7A, Game 1

 

Thursday, May 18th

TEAM	TEAM	TIME	LOCATION	CLASSIFICATION
Gordo	Houston Academy	10:00 AM	Jacksonville State	Class 3A, Game 2/3
Central-Phenix City	Vestavia Hills	4:00 PM	Jacksonville State	Class 7A, Game 2/3
Holtville	Sardis	7:00 PM	Choccolocco Park	Class 5A, Game 1

 

Friday, May 19th

TEAM	TEAM	TIME	LOCATION	CLASSIFICATION
Holtville	Sardis	10:00 AM	Jacksonville State	Class 5A, Game 2/3

 

 

Class 7A State Championship Preview

+ Central-Phenix City Red Devils

Head Coach: AJ Kehoe
No. of State Titles (Last): 1 (2023)
Classification Ranking: Class 7A No. 2
2023 Record: 33-9
How They Got Here: W over Daphne (8-1, 9-0), Enterprise (2-3, 1-0, 9-4), Smiths Station (8-4, 8-1)

 

+ Vestavia Hills Rebels

Head Coach: Jamie Harris
No. of State Titles (Last): 9 (2000)
Classification Ranking: Class 7A No. 5
2023 Record: 32-10
How They Got Here: W over Sparkman (5-2, 2-8, 7-2), Spain Park (5-2, 13-2), Thompson (1-11, 3-2, 3-2)

 

+ Series Schedule:

• Central-Phenix City vs. Vestavia Hills, Game 1 on Wed. @ 7:00 PM, Choccolocco Park
• Central-Phenix City vs. Vestavia Hills, Game 2/3 on Thurs. @ 4:00 PM, Jacksonville State University

+ In the biggest classification in the state, it’s no coincidence that this is arguably one of the more highly-anticipated series heading into the week with both teams ranked inside the Top-5 in Class 7A. These are easily two of the hottest teams in Class 7A and are coming off of a big last couple of weekends with season-defining series victories. Starting off with Central-Phenix City, they return to Oxford looking to claim their second-consecutive Class 7A State Title after defeating Hewitt-Trussville last year in three games. The Red Devils certainly are amongst the most talented teams in the state and have been one of the most consistent programs over the past few years. They are led by OF/RHP Jax Yoxtheimer (Alabama-Birmingham, 2023), C Colton Wombles (Auburn, 2023), 1B Landon Beaver (Alabama-Birmingham, 2024), 3B/RHP Hunter Wippert (2024), SS Carson Gilley (Southern Union CC, 2023), OF Preston Bedford (Montevallo, 2023) and a host of others offensively. Their lineup is extremely balanced from top to bottom and are tough to strike out while being able to bang the ball around the yard at times. On the mound, the Red Devils have gotten strong efforts from Yoxtheimer, Wippert, RHP Tripp Richards (Bevill State CC, 2023), RHP Brantley Rothrock (2025), and RHP Brody Stamp (2024) over the past couple of weeks. For Vestavia Hills, there are no easy outs 1-9 in their lineup and can beat you in a variety of ways with hitters who can leave the yard at any given moment and other players who use their athleticism to their advantage. The Rebels are coming off a huge series win on the road defeating No. 1 Thompson by scores of 1-11, 3-2, and 3-2 to advance to this week’s series. C Hudson Walburn (Jacksonville State, 2023) and 1B/LHP Jackson Harris (Samford, 2023) are a pair of multi-year starters who hold down the middle of the order with other players like OF Christopher Johnston (Auburn, 2023), 3B John Paul Head (Alabama-Birmingham, 2024), INF Mason Perrigo (Duke, 2024), SS Will Cox (2023), and INF Luke Swanzy who have also enjoyed strong seasons this spring. On the mound, RHP Aiden Black (2023), RHP Ryan Vermillion (Jacksonville State, 2023), LHP Jable Ramey (Huntingdon, 2023), & LHP Barrett Harper (2023) are a trio of seniors who will throw big innings and are just a few of the arms that the Rebels will feature.

 

CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

+ Oxford Yellow Jackets

Head Coach: Wes Brooks
No. of State Titles (Last): 1 (2012)
Classification Ranking: Class 6A No. 1
2023 Record: 37-6
How They Got Here: W over Center Point (10-0, 20-0), Mountain Brook (10-0, 9-4), Hartselle (4-1, 5-3), Cullman (11-0, 5-3)

 

+ Spanish Fort Toros

Head Coach: JD Pruitt
No. of State Titles (Last): 4 (2014)
Classification Ranking: Class 6A "Just Outside the Top-10"
2023 Record: 29-17
How They Got Here: W over McAdory (2-3, 2-1, 7-5), Northridge (1-0, 10-3), Saraland (1-3, 8-7, 12-11), Stanhope Elmore (4-5, 10-9, 9-6)

 

+ Series Schedule:

• Oxford vs. Spanish Fort, Game 1 on Tues. @ 4:00 PM, Choccolocco Park
• Oxford vs. Spanish Fort, Game 2/3 on Wed. @ 10:00 AM, Jacksonville State University

+ This series is another one that is bound to be an entertaining one with the two hottest teams in Class 6A coming into this week after huge series wins over the past few weeks. It’s been two different roads for how both of these teams advanced to the championship series. Oxford on one hand, has swept every one of their playoff series, while Spanish Fort has gone to a third game in three of their four playoff series and have shown tons of composure and fight with their backs against the wall. Looking at Oxford who surpassed the 35-win mark and captured another area championship, the Yellow Jackets have loads of talent across the board and are led by players like 3B/RHP Carter Johnson (Alabama, 2024), SS Sam Robertson (Auburn, 2023), SS/RHP Peyton Watts (Troy, 2023), 1B/LHP Hayes Harrison (Northwest Shoals CC, 2023), OF Nick Richardson (2025), RHP Drew McCormick (Jacksonville State, 2023), & many more up and down this roster. The Yellow Jackets have passed all of their tests so far with flying colors, but it’s not going to get any easier this week. Shifting focus to Spanish Fort, the Toros come in playing as hot as anyone in Class 6A after earning a huge series wins over No. 7 Northridge, No. 4 Saraland, and No. 2 Stanhope Elmore over the past three weeks. They are a tough, hard-nosed group of players that have really come together down the stretch and have really swung it well throughout their order in the playoffs. OF Pierce Dutton (Shelton State CC, 2023) has continued to lead this team making a huge impact both offensively and patrolling center field defensively. OF/RHP Newton Gardner (2025) has really assumed a large role this spring as a sophomore both at the plate and on the mound. Other players to watch for will be C Jack Holley (Georgia State, 2024), C DJ Eurgil (Coastal Alabama-East CC, 2023), OF/LHP Lakelon Ray (2025), 1B Brayden Cooper (2024), SS Nehemiah Hixon (2025), INF Hayes Miller (2024), and 3B Blake Smith (Coastal Alabama-East CC, 2023). On the mound, RHP John Henry Winstead (2024), RHP Chris Sullivan (2023), and Eurgil have pitched some big innings over the past couple of weeks and pitch deep into games. 

 

CLASS 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

+ Holtville Bulldogs

Head Coach: Scott Tubbs
No. of State Titles (Last): 2 (1983)
Classification Ranking: Class 5A No. 8
2023 Record: 26-14
How They Got Here: W over Mobile Christian (0-11, 13-3, 12-6), Elmore County (2-4, 12-4, 7-2), Headland (11-12, 4-2, 12-2), Demopolis (7-4, 6-0)

 

+ Sardis Lions

Head Coach: Kevin Vinson
No. of State Titles (Last): 0
Classification Ranking: Class 5A No. 7
2023 Record: 30-6
How They Got Here: W over Hayden (10-3, 7-2), Ardmore (3-6, 5-3, 7-6), Russellville (6-4, 4-0), Boaz (4-2, 7-5)

 

+ Series Schedule:

• Holtville vs. Sardis, Game 1 on Thurs. @ 7:00 PM, Choccolocco Park
• Holtville vs. Sardis, Game 2/3 on Fri. @ 10:00 AM, Jacksonville State University

+ In a wide-open Class 5A this spring, these two teams come into this series beating some noteworthy programs over the past few rounds and have really played their best baseball of the season during that time. Holtville returns looking to avenge last year’s runner-up finish to Russellville, while Sardis has enjoyed a historic season reaching 30 wins. Holtville, like we previously mentioned, came out on the winning end in last year's series and finished as the runner-up in Class 5A. After starting off the year at No. 1 in Class 5A, the Bulldogs have seemed to hit their stride down the stretch with series wins over No. 6 Mobile Christian, Elmore County, No. 1 Headland, and Demopolis. SS Sam Silas (Jacksonville State, 2023) and SS/RHP Drey Barrett (Southern Miss, 2024) are two of the top infielders in the state that hold down the middle of the infield and heart of the order for the Bulldogs, and are two huge pieces to their success. Other players like 3B Tanner Potts (2023), OF Weston Tubbs (Central Alabama CC, 2023), 1B/LHP Randy Davis (Central Alabama CC, 2023), OF Markus Broderick (2024), and 1B Lane Talley (2024) also help carry the charge offensively throughout their lineup. Sardis is led by a multitude of players that impact the game on both sides of the ball. They are coming off of a big series sweep over arch-rival Boaz in the semifinals to advance to this weekend's matchup. The Lions have a deep and balanced lineup from top to bottom with different players pitching in contributions on any given day. SS/RHP Russel Wiggs (2024), OF Levi Martin (2026), 1B/RHP Carson Gillian (2024), 3B/RHP Luke Weems (2023), and RHP/SS Blaze Gerhart (2024) are just a few of the players that have led the Lions to this point of the season. They have a strong mix of upperclassmen and underclassmen that have blended nicely and have been knocked off some strong competition this spring.

 

CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

+ Etowah Blue Devils

Head Coach: Blake Bone
No. of State Titles (Last): 3 (1996)
Classification Ranking: Class 4A No. 6
2023 Record: 28-11
How They Got Here: W over West Morgan (4-0, 10-0), Corner (8-6, 11-1), West Limestone (13-2, 8-2), St. John Paul II (9-3, 2-1)

 

+ UMS-Wright Bulldogs

Head Coach: Kevin Raley
No. of State Titles (Last): 9 (2017)
Classification Ranking: Class 4A No. 4
2023 Record: 27-12
How They Got Here: W over Munford (0-2, 6-2, 11-1), Geneva (9-3, 11-1), Trinity Presbyterian (4-1, 4-2), Bayside Academy (0-9, 7-4, 11-4)

 

+ Series Schedule:

• Etowah vs. UMS-Wright, Game 1 on Tues. @ 7:00 PM, Choccolocco Park
• Etowah vs. UMS-Wright, Game 2/3 on Wed. @ 4:00 PM, Jacksonville State University

+ It’s been two historic seasons for both of these teams this spring who come into this series coming off of a huge series wins over top teams in Class 4A. Etowah, last year’s runner-up in Class 4A, will look to avenge that loss by winning their fourth state title in school history, and first since 1996. UMS-Wright got over the hump last week winning their semifinal series over arch-rival No. 1 Bayside Academy and will look to knock off another quality opponent to win their 10th state title in school history, and first since 1997. Looking at Etowah, they are a very hard-nosed group that possesses an athletic offensive lineup. OF/LHP Caleb Freeman (Snead State CC, 2023) is the straw that really stirs the drink hitting at the top of the order, and will also throw Game 1 on the mound, as well. 1B/RHP Trace Thompson (2023), SS/RHP Hunter Humphries (Gadsden State CC, 2023), C Briggs Freeman (Snead State CC, 2023), and 3B/RHP Jameson Scissum (2025) are just a few more players who return from last year’s team with valuable experience playing for a state title. For UMS-Wright, the Bulldogs have enjoyed another playoff run from the help of timely hitting and strong starting pitching on the mound. 3B/RHP Olin Ward (Northwest Florida CC, 2023) and OF Cole Blaylock (2023) have delivered some big run-producing hits over the past few weeks to help the Bulldogs get here, while SS Logan Norris (2023), 1B Will Taylor (2024), INF Ty Waters (2026), and OF Wilson Colvin (2023) have also provided some contributions, as well. LHP Sutton Snypes (2023) and RHP Alex Sherman (2024) are a strong 1-2 punch on the mound and have pitched well throughout the playoffs.

 

CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

+ Gordo Greenwave

Head Coach: Jonathan Pate
No. of State Titles (Last): 4 (2017)
Classification Ranking: Class 3A No. 2
2023 Record: 32-5
How They Got Here: W over Elkmont (5-0, 7-4), Hokes Bluff (4-2, 10-3), Piedmont (6-7, 1-0, 5-3), Phil Campbell (10-4, 11-1)

 

+ Houston Academy Raiders

Head Coach: Tony Kirkland
No. of State Titles (Last): 2 (2014)
Classification Ranking: Class 3A No. 5
2023 Record: 26-7
How They Got Here: W over Thomasville (8-2, 9-6), Flomaton (16-7, 5-0), Prattville Christian (4-2, 2-3, 5-2), Saint James (9-0, 14-8)

 

+ Series Schedule:

• Gordo vs. Houston Academy, Game 1 on Wed. @ 4:00 PM, Choccolocco Park
• Gordo vs. Houston Academy, Game 2/3 on Thurs. 10:00 AM, Jacksonville State University

+ After being pushed to three games in the quarterfinals two weeks ago, both of these teams come into this state finals series sweeping their semifinal matchup with relative ease. Both of these teams have been highly-ranked inside the Top-5 over the course of the season, and have continued to cement themselves as the two top teams in Class 3A. Gordo is coming off a dominating semifinals series sweep over No. 1 Phil Campbell, and also have noteworthy series wins over No. 4 Piedmont and Hokes Bluff. OF/RHP Landon Fike (2024), C Jase Neel (2025), 1B Baylee Price (2023), DH Aaron Baines (2024), OF Kyson Pate (2023), and SS Caleb Jennings (2023) seem to be the main core hitting in the heart of the lineup for the Greenwave, and have shown the ability to generate plenty of runs. On the mound, RHP Will Whitley (2024) and RHP/OF Austin Baines (2024) are a pair of juniors that have started Games 1 and 2 in their recent series. Turning to Houston Academy, the Raiders have shown the ability to generate tons of runs throughout their playoff run, and come into this series looking to continue to swing the bats well. OF/RHP Wade Shelley (Auburn, 2025) and 3B/RHP Wyatt Shelley (Auburn, 2026) are two highly-ranked brothers that help lead the way offensively and on the mound, while SS JT Pitchford (Enterprise State CC, 2023), SS/RHP Griffin McGee (2023), RHP/1B Adam Boyd (2024), INF Hughes Dean (2023), C Camden Dyer (2024), and OF Will Wells (2023) have enjoyed strong years as well in multiple capacities. McGee and Boyd started Games 1 and 2 last week, and the Raiders also have other talented arms behind them out of the bullpen.

 

CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

+ Ariton Purple Cats

Head Coach: Bob Pickett
No. of State Titles (Last): 0
Classification Ranking: Class 2A No. 3
2023 Record: 29-12-1
How They Got Here: W over Reeltown (14-0, 9-4), Clarke County (12-0, 7-5), Pike Liberal Arts (7-6, 4-14, 14-4), GW Long (0-10, 9-4, 14-8)

 

+ Vincent Yellow Jackets

Head Coach: Corey Goodson
No. of State Titles (Last): 2 (1985)
Classification Ranking: Class 2A No. 5
2023 Record: 30-5
How They Got Here: W over Lexington (9-5, 5-1), Collinsville (10-1, 15-5), Whitesburg Christian (2-1, 11-1), Lindsay Lane Christian (3-0, 3-4, 11-1)

 

+ Series Schedule:

• Ariton vs. Vincent, Game 1 on Mon. @ 7:00 PM, Choccolocco Park
• Ariton vs. Vincent, Game 2/3 on Tues. @ 4:00 PM, Jacksonville State University

+ One of the first couple of series to get started earlier in the week, this state finals series in Class 2A features two teams who seem to both be very balanced both at the plate and on the mound. Ariton has finally broken through and reached the state finals series after falling in the Final 4 the last couple of seasons, while Vincent is having a historic season and have seemingly dominated their opponents for the majority of the season. Starting off with Ariton, the Purple Cats are led by experienced veterans that have multiple years of varsity experience under their belt, including players like SS Caden Collier (2024) and 1B Connor Thrash (2023) who are coming into this series swinging as well as anyone. Ariton also has other players like INF/RHP Phenix Griffin (2023), OF/RHP Landon Tyler (2023), 3B/RHP Lawson Leger (2024), and OF/1B Paxton Steed (2023) who help lead the charge offensively and on the mound, as well. Turning the page to Vincent, the Yellow Jackets have been led by strong starting pitching and timely hitting offensively. RHP/SS Aiden Poe (2025) is no-doubt their ace on the staff, and comes into this series boasting a laughable 115 K/3 BB ratio and hasn’t issued a walk in 52 innings. OF Zac Carlisle (Montevallo, 2023), 1B Easton Fields (Gadsden State CC, 2023), and SS Casen Fields (2025) are also three more players that have led the Jackets at the plate during their deep playoff run. Vincent comes into this series after dominating most of their playoff series, but Ariton has the ability to generate tons of runs and will be interesting to see how they match up against the Yellow Jackets’ pitching staff this week.

 

CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

+ Appalachian Eagles

Head Coach: Brandon Johnson
No. of State Titles (Last): 0
Classification Ranking: Class 1A No. 1
2023 Record: 29-4
How They Got Here: W over Belgreen (16-0, 13-0), Athens Bible (5-1, 16-2), Sumiton Christian (5-8, 14-6, 11-4), Hackleburg (11-1, 10-4)

 

+ Brantley Bulldogs

Head Coach: Austin Brook
No. of State Titles (Last): 1 (2009)
Classification Ranking: Class 1A "Just Outside the Top-10"
2023 Record: 20-7
How They Got Here: W over Calhoun (15-0, 16-1), Millry (5-4, 5-4), Sweet Water (14-2, 5-3), Billingsley (2-1, 6-1)

 

+ Series Schedule:

• Appalachian vs. Brantley, Game 1 on Mon. @ 4:00 PM, Choccolocco Park
• Appalachian vs. Brantley, Game 2/3 on Tues. @ 10:00 AM, Jacksonville State University

+ With this series set to get us started on Monday at 4:00 PM, these seem to be two evenly-matched ball clubs that have defeated some powerhouse programs to get here over the last few weeks. Both of these teams are coming off series sweeps in their semifinal matchup, but both are likely facing their biggest tests of the playoffs yet. Starting off with Appalachian, the Eagles have been ranked at No. 1 in Class 1A for the majority of the season and boast the best record in their classification sitting 29-4 coming into this matchup. Offensively, the Eagles have some talented hitters scattered up and down their lineup including OF Garrett Helms (2023), C Camdyn Moore (2024), 3B/RHP Caden Jones (2023), and SS Logan Harvey (2025). Their pitching staff has also not allowed many runs this spring behind pitchers like Jones and RHP Preston Martin (2024). Looking at Brantley, the Bulldogs have a balanced attack offensively and have not given up many runs on the mound throughout the playoffs. They have played clean baseball all season long and that’s a big reason why they’ve made it this far. Their offense has been led by SS/RHP Jayden Parks (2025), SS/RHP Jordan Parks (2023), C Kaleb Weed (2023), OF Jon Bush (2023), 1B Tyson Grant (2024), and others up and down their lineup. On the mound, RHP Cooper Layton (2025) and both the Park brothers have thrown it really well over the past few weeks and will look to continue their success this week.

 

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