Friday, March 6, 2026

Northridge High School Jaguars Sports (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)

BaseballSports

Jags ground Rockets for opening day shutout win, 4-0

Michael Clements

The Northridge Jaguars met the Gardendale Rockets at the Prep Baseball Alabama Kickoff Classic at River Run Park in Northport on Friday afternoon. An overcast sky with temperatures in the mid-70’s made for a superb atmosphere to start the 2026 season. The Jags scored all their runs in one inning and held the Rockets off the board to claim the shutout victory on opening day.

After holding Gardendale off the bases in the top of the first inning, Northridge came close to getting its first run of the game. However, a fielder’s choice to third with the bases loaded ended the scoring opportunity for the Jags.

2-20-2026 — Northport, Ala. — Northridge’s Miller Arendale rips a three RBI triple to the corner in right field.

The Jags finally got on the board in the bottom of the third inning, with what would be the only runs of the game, for either team. After one out, Wyatt Rath singled to center field. Cooper Obradovich singled to left, advancing Bus Payne (who came in to run for Rath) to second base. Grayson Cannon walked on four pitches, loading the bases. After a pitching change for Gardendale, Charlie Wilson walked on five pitches, which allowed everyone to advance, scoring Payne from third. After a first pitch ball, Miller Arendale ripped a fastball down the line in right field. While the ball crossed the line and headed to the fence, Obradovich, Cannon and Wilson scored, with Arendale making it to third for a triple. A fielder’s choice ended up cutting Arendale at the plate and an eventual ground out to the Gardendale first baseman ended the bottom half of the inning.

The Jags had opportunities to add to their lead in later innings, but weren’t able to cross the plate again. Nevertheless, when the game ended, the Jags claimed the 4-0 Opening Day win over the Rockets.

2-20-2026 — Northport, Ala. — Northridge’s Evan Champion sends the first pitch of the season to the plate during the Jaguars game at River Run Park.
2-20-2026 — Northport, Ala. — Northridge’s Matthew Weyer delivers a pitch after entering the game in the fourth inning.

Starting pitcher Evan Champion completed three innings and picked up the win. Champion struck out two and allowed no hits. Matthew Weyer took the mound after Champion and completed four innings. Weyer struck out five and allowed only two hits.

Evan Malone, Rath, Obradovich and Arendale collected one hit each for the Jags. Payne, Obradovich, Cannon and Wilson scored one run each. Miller totaled three RBIs and Wilson was credited with one.

The Jags will be in action again on Saturday, taking on Helena Huskies at 10AM and then the Thompson Warriors at 5:30PM.

2-20-2026 — Northport, Ala. — Northridge catcher Wyatt Rath takes a pitch off the back of the arm during the Jaguars’ win over the Gardendale Rockets.
2-20-2026 — Northport, Ala. — Northridge’s Ford Cole puts the ball in play during the Jaguars’ win over the Gardendale Rockets.
2-20-2026 — Northport, Ala. — Northridge third baseman John Pruet loads up to deliver a ball to first base during the Jaguars’ win over the Gardendale Rockets.
2-20-2026 — Northport, Ala. — Northridge’s Ellis Tucker fires to first for a double play attempt during the Jaguars’ win over the Gardendale Rockets.