The 2026 Opelika High School Bulldogs baseball team, led by head coach Bart Butler, entered the season with high hopes and delivered a campaign full of competitive moments, hard-fought wins, and lessons that should serve the program well in years to come. As the regular season winds down, Opelika sits at 17-20 overall and 1-6 in 7A Area 4 play.
A Hot Start Sets the Tone
The Bulldogs burst out of the gates with a 7-1 record to open the season, announcing themselves as a team to watch in the Columbus-Opelika area. Opelika rattled off wins over Stanhope Elmore (7-6), Park Crossing (11-1), Russell County (3-0), Elmore County (11-6), Robertsdale (9-6), Mobile Christian (7-5), and Hueytown (3-2) before dropping their first game of the year — a 7-0 shutout at Fairhope.
That early run pushed the Bulldogs to No. 3 in the Columbus-Opelika area rankings and earned Opelika recognition in the ASWA Class 7A polls.
Battling Through a Tough Schedule
Playing in one of the state’s most competitive classifications, Opelika faced a gauntlet of quality opponents throughout the spring. The Bulldogs picked up signature non-area wins over Hoover — not once, but twice (5-4 and 4-3) — along with victories over Valley (11-10), Pike Road (6-2), Cottondale (9-4), and a gutsy nine-inning win over ACA (3-2). A thrilling eight-inning victory at Lee-Scott Academy (9-6) was another highlight.
Losses to state-ranked Enterprise (9-5), Spain Park (14-8), Prattville (twice), and Glenwood (11-9) showed the Bulldogs the level needed to compete at the top of 7A. A late-March/early-April stretch that included setbacks against Benjamin Russell (6-4), Stanhope Elmore (4-3 and 3-2), and Demopolis (5-4) brought the Bulldogs’ record back to near .500 heading into area play.
Area Play Proves Unforgiving
The Bulldogs entered their 7A Area 4 schedule — featuring Smiths Station, Auburn, and Central-Phenix City — knowing every series was a must-win.
vs. Smiths Station (April 8-10)
The Panthers took games one and two by scores of 5-4 and 4-2, clinching the series. In the opener, Opelika jumped out to a 4-2 lead before Smiths Station rallied with two runs in the fourth and added the game-winner in the sixth. In game two, senior pitcher Landon Rudd delivered a gutsy seven-inning performance, allowing just one earned run, but the offense managed only two runs on three hits from Hank Hudson, Jax Miller, and Stone.
The Bulldogs salvaged the tiebreaker game 3-1 behind a dominant complete-game effort from sophomore Whit Cooper (7 IP, 1 ER, 4 K). Sye Siggers led the offense with three hits.
vs. Auburn (April 15-17)
The No. 8-ranked Auburn Tigers swept the series in three straight. Game one at Cimo Field was an 8-2 Auburn win, though Hudson provided a highlight with a two-run home run and Warner McDonald notched two hits. Caleb Gardner was strong in relief, tossing four scoreless innings.
Game two was a heartbreaker — Auburn edged Opelika 2-1 in a pitching duel after Bryson Sheppard’s two-run homer in the first inning. Rudd was outstanding on the mound for the Bulldogs, going seven innings with just two earned runs.
Game three went to the Tigers 9-6 as Auburn pounded out 12 hits. Hudson again led Opelika with two hits, while Rudd, Gardner, and Sawyer Rollins all contributed offensively.
vs. Central-Phenix City (April 22-23)
Central took the series opener 6-2 on April 22 at Bulldog Park, with the Red Devils’ bats proving too much. The series shifted to Phenix City for game two on April 23.
Key Players Who Defined the Season
Several Bulldogs stood out as the heart and soul of the 2026 squad:
- Hank Hudson, Sr. — Arguably Opelika’s most dangerous hitter, Hudson delivered in the biggest moments. His two-run home run against Auburn, multiple multi-hit performances, and steady production made him the lineup anchor all season.
- Landon Rudd, Sr., P — The Bulldogs’ ace on the mound, Rudd gave Opelika a chance to win every time he took the ball. His seven-inning, one-earned-run gem against Smiths Station and seven-inning, two-earned-run performance against Auburn showed his ability to compete with anyone.
- Sye Siggers — A consistent force at the top of the lineup, Siggers racked up multi-hit games throughout the season, including a three-hit performance in the Smiths Station tiebreaker. He was also a key contributor during the Bulldogs’ hot start.
- Whit Cooper, So., P — The sophomore left a lasting impression with his complete-game victory over Smiths Station (7 IP, 1 ER, 4 K), signaling a bright future on the mound for Opelika.
- Warner McDonald — A reliable bat in the middle of the order, McDonald recorded multiple-hit performances in key games, including against Auburn and Stanhope Elmore.
- Bryce Turnham, Sr. — A steady presence all season, Turnham contributed with the bat and on the mound, including a four-inning, four-strikeout start against Benjamin Russell.
- Caleb Gardner — Emerged as a reliable arm out of the bullpen, highlighted by four scoreless innings of relief in the Auburn series opener.
- Sawyer Rollins, Sr. — Provided clutch hitting throughout area play and added offensive punch in the heart of the lineup.
By the Numbers
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Overall Record | 17-20 |
| Area Record (7A Area 4) | 1-6 |
| Home Record | 11-9 |
| Away Record | 6-9 |
| Runs Scored | 185 |
| Runs Allowed | 192 |
| MaxPreps 7A State Ranking | No. 20 |
A Season in Perspective
While the final record doesn’t reflect the Bulldogs’ ambitions, Opelika competed against an extremely demanding schedule that included multiple state-ranked opponents. The 7-1 start showed the talent on this roster, and the tight margins in area play — a one-run loss to Smiths Station, a one-run heartbreaker against Auburn — illustrate how close this team was to a different outcome.
The 2026 season also produced encouraging signs for the future. Sophomore Whit Cooper’s breakout on the mound, the development of younger arms like Asher Rudd, and the steady contributions from underclassmen like Carson Riddle and Carson Holcey give coach Butler a foundation to build on heading into next year.
For the departing seniors — Hudson, Rudd, Turnham, Rollins, Phipps, and others — this season represented their final chapter in an Opelika uniform, and they leave behind a legacy of competitiveness and effort that future Bulldogs can aspire to match.
Catch the Bulldogs
Fans can follow Opelika baseball on FOX Sports The Game, the iHeartRadio app, or online at foxsportsthegame.com, with Van Riggs on the call. Pregame coverage begins at 4:45 p.m.
Sources: MaxPreps, Opelika Observer, SBLive/SI.com, AHSAA
