LOCAL BRIEFS

Redbirds open the 2018 season with a 8-4 victory at Round Rock: Defending Pacific Coast League champion Memphis opened the 2018 season Thursday night with an 8-4 win over host Round Rock at Dell Diamond.

Powered by home runs from Adolis Garcia and Max Schrock, the Redbirds (1-0) finished their night with 11 hits. Collecting multiples were Rangel Ravelo, Carson Kelly and Patrick Wisdom.

Memphis was most productive in the sixth inning, pushing across five runs. Wisdom's RBI double and Wilfredo Tovar's sacrifice fly was soon followed by Schrock's three-run homer to right.

The win on the mound went to John Gant, who threw six innings and struck out five. The series against the Express continued Friday. Memphis plays its first game at AutoZone Park Tuesday versus Omaha. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

RiverKings gear up for SPHL playoffs

with selection show watch party: With last Saturday’s win over Huntsville, the Southern Professional Hockey League’s Mississippi RiverKings clinched a spot in this year’s playoffs and with the new pick-your-opponent format for the first round, the RiverKings have announced the official Challenge Round Selection Show.

Starting Sunday night at 6, RiverKings players, coach Derek Landmesser, front office staff and fans can gather at Old Style Bar-B-Q in Olive Branch. The event will showcase the live broadcast of the official SPHL Challenge Round Show hosted by Birmingham Bulls radio voice Eli Gold and former NHLer and current Nashville Predators color analyst Terry Crisp. The free event will be streamed on Facebook Live.

The RiverKings, who played Huntsville Friday at the Landers Center in Southaven, will host Fayetteville in their regular-season finale today at 7 p.m.