Cottondale Ozone All-Stars Capture District Crown, Advance to State Tournament
By: Shelia Mader
The Cottondale Ozone All-Stars punched their ticket to the state tournament in Frostproof after a dominant run through district play, finishing the tournament undefeated with two wins and a tie. Cottondale opened the event with an 11-11 tie against Sneads before defeating Vernon 10-7 and capping the championship run with a 13-10 victory over Vernon to claim the title.
In the tournament opener against Sneads, Cottondale overcame a seven-run fourth inning by Sneads to battle back for an 11-11 draw. Duke Seiss led the Cottondale offense, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs, while Griffin Huff added two hits and drove in three runs. Tyler Land collected two hits and an RBI, and Bodhi Johnson scored twice while reaching base three times. Carson Cosper and Charles Obert each added hits as Cottondale finished with 11 hits. On the bases, Johnson stole two bags while Seiss and Huff each swiped one. Sneads managed just three hits but took advantage of 10 walks and five Cottondale errors. Abram Varieur scored twice and added a hit, Carter White doubled and scored twice, and Emory Goodson contributed a hit, run scored and RBI. Clayton Albritton, Jayce Locke and Maxton Baxley each crossed the plate twice for Sneads. On the mound, Cottondale's Griffin Huff worked a scoreless inning while striking out two, and Tyler Land added a scoreless frame. Sneads received solid relief work from Abram Varieur, who struck out two and allowed no runs in an inning of work.
Cottondale's offense exploded in Game Two as the All-Stars rolled past Vernon 10-7 behind a 14-hit attack. Huff turned in one of the tournament's best individual performances, going 2-for-3 with a home run, a triple and three RBIs. Carson Cosper added a double, two hits and an RBI, while Sawyer Baggett drove in two runs. Kobe Kernoschak, Liam Whitehead and Mason Farkash each recorded two hits, and Bodhi Johnson, Duke Seiss and Tate Doherty added one hit apiece. Johnson stole three bases and Kernoschak swiped two more as Cottondale consistently pressured Vernon on the basepaths. Duke Seiss earned the victory on the mound, striking out two over 2 1/3 innings. Huff started and fanned four hitters, while Land and Baggett also saw action in the championship-clinching effort.
The title game proved to be another offensive showcase as Cottondale outlasted Vernon 13-10. The All-Stars pounded out 14 hits and erased an early deficit after Vernon scored eight runs in the first two innings. Duke Seiss paced the attack with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, scoring twice and driving in a run. Tyler Land went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Kessler Ford scored three runs and collected two hits. Sawyer Baggett added two hits and scored twice, Liam Whitehead finished with two hits and an RBI, and Carson Cosper delivered a key RBI hit. Griffin Huff contributed a hit, scored a run and drove in a run. Cottondale's patience at the plate also paid dividends as the team drew three walks and struck out only six times.
Throughout the tournament, Cottondale showcased the balanced lineup and resilience that have made the All-Stars one of the area's top youth teams. Huff supplied power and clutch run production, Seiss consistently delivered at the plate while providing key innings on the mound, and Land, Johnson, Cosper, Baggett, Ford and Whitehead all played major roles in the championship run. The All-Stars now turn their attention to the state tournament in Frostproof, which begins June 25 and runs through June 30, carrying the momentum of an unbeaten district championship performance and hopes of bringing home a state title.
