Oxford Soars to North Half Championship
Oxford’s very own Chargers have done it again! In an epic advancement in the MHSAA Class 7A playoffs, the Oxford Chargers have made their way to the semi-finals round. The game played on May 6, 2024, saw an exhilarating performance that kept spectators at the edge of their seats.
Brady Stinnett Saves the Day
Brady Stinnett, donning jersey number 22, was the star of the show, contributing an RBI double during the ninth inning. This brilliant feat drove the Chargers to a well-earned 3-2 victory over the Madison Central Jaguars. This advancement puts the Chargers one step closer to the much-anticipated North Half Championship, a feat they will strive to claim this week.
How the Game Unfolded
The triumphant second game followed their successful road victory on Friday, where the Chargers emerged victorious against Madison with a 5-3 score. The Monday thriller saw the Chargers get ahead in the third inning with Thomas Rayburn scoring a double and Carson Schmelzer driving a sacrifice fly. But things got heated when Madison Central retaliated, leveling the game to a 2-2 draw in the sixth inning. The game remained a standstill until Stinnett’s heroic ninth-inning performance, bringing the game home.
The pitching department also gave a commendable performance. Barrett Kamman took the mound first, breezing through five innings giving away only one run on four hits. Hayes Huggins and Robert Upchurch also delivered strong performances, demonstrating excellent teamwork on behalf of the Chargers.
Looking Ahead
The Chargers will now brace themselves to meet the Hernando Tigers for the North Half Title. The Tigers advanced to the semi-finals after a tight 2-1 series win against Lewisburg. The Chargers and Tigers’ rivalry dates back to the regular season; the Chargers will be seeking redemption after 12-0 and 8-6 losses to the Tigers.
Meanwhile, in the South, Northwest Rankin remains ready to face the winner of the ongoing Ocean Springs-Brandon series.
Recap of Game 1: Oxford 5, Madison 3
In the opener of the series, the Chargers set off strong. Brady Stinnett, the later Game 2 hero, started the scoring in the first inning. A valiant comeback from Madison Central in the fourth inning saw the game level at 3-3. However, Oxford swiftly regained the lead in the fifth inning with a double from Thomas Rayburn. The scored stood at 5-3 in Oxford’s favor marking the start of their victorious campaign.
Pitcher Stinnett performed admirably, consolidating Oxford’s impetus with a seven-inning strikeout.
Expectations for the Chargers
As the Chargers ready themselves for the North Half Championship, the city waits in anticipation, the crowd cheering on for another stunning victory. Only time will tell if the Chargers can overcome the Hernando hurdle and claim the ultimate glory of the state championship.
