Remembering the Auburn-Opelika rivalry through softball

The Auburn-Opelika rivalry is one of the great high school rivalries in the state of Alabama. The softball series is no exception and on April 7, 2016, Opelika earned bragging rights.

During the game, however, the events of the game transcended the rivalry, as Payton Powers achieved something that few ever accomplish.

On that day, Powers, the Opelika starting pitcher, threw a no-hitter against the rival Tigers in a 4-0 win. Powers was nearly perfect, allowing just one batter to reach base in the game.

Behind Powers’s performance, the four runs scored by the Bulldogs were enough to secure the rivalry win.

Though it was not a division contest, it was one of the highlights of an Opelika season that saw the Bulldogs take first place in their area and qualify for the playoffs. The Bulldogs won their area once more in 2022 before being promoted to 7A for the 2023 season.

According to MaxPreps, the Bulldogs have not beaten the Tigers since Powers’s feat, making the day especially memorable for Opelika softball supporters and those who pay attention to the Auburn-Opelika rivalry.

— Matthew Wallace, The Auburn Advance