By D. Mark Mitchell
sports columnist
SOFTBALL
The OHS softball team started the 2015 season in Panama City, Florida, playing in the Florida / US Challenge. The Lady Bulldogs went 3-1 in the two-day tournament.
Opelika beat Escambia Couty 11-2 in the opener. Payton Powers earned the win by pitching four innings, allowing no earned runs and three hits. Jada Moss and Taylor Carr had three hits apiece. Payton Powers and Alexis Sydnor added two hits each.
The Lady Dawgs defeated Chipley 5-2 in the second game. Payton Powers picked up her second win going four innings, allowing four hits and one earned run. Alexis Sydnor earned the save by pitching the final three innings. Sydnor and Jada Moss led at the plate with two hits each. Tadejsa Veasley added a triple. Allie Horniman help OHS by making several great defensive plays.
Opelika lost 8-7 to WEWA. Alexis Sydnor was 2 for 3 and Jada Moss added a home run.
The Lady Dawgs won the final game of the tournament, beating Chipley 16-2 behind Alexis Sydnor’s three hits. Tatum Jones hit a three-run homer. Tatum O’Neal, Tatum Jones and Jada Moss all added singles. Sydnor earned the win, pitching four scoreless inning.
TENNIS
The Opelika and Auburn tennis teams split their matches. The boys won 6-3 while the girls lost 9-0. Boys singles winners were Kevin Lazenby, Winston Smith T, Andrew Bizilia and Scot Carpenter. Doubles winners were K Lazenby/Smith T and Scot Carpenter/ A Bizilia.
BASEBALL
The Opelika baseball team is 10-2 after twelve games. The Bulldogs are using a combination of great defense and pitching, and hitting the baseball well. Coach Billy Jones, in his second season as head coach, is 37-10 overall.
The Bulldogs defeated Beauregard, Robertsdale, Satsuma, Mary Montgomery and Stanhope-Elmore in last week.
OHS vs Stanhope-Elmore:
The Dawgs swept a doubleheader over Stanhope-Elmore, 15-0 and 13-6.
Harrison Morris and Kent Bugg earned the wins on the mound. Gage Young, Tanner Blatt, Blake Yountz, Chris Manley, Tommie Jackson, Cullen Senn, Kent Bugg, Mathew Christian and JD Worth all had multiple hits on the day.
Junior Varsity:
The OHS junior varsity baseball team is 5-1. The team concludes the Opelika JV Classic today at Bulldog Park.
SOCCER
The Opelika soccer team is off to a 6-0 start. The Dawgs defeated Valley 8-0 to earn their first Area win of the season. Kahlil Bell scored three goals, while Marco Vega, Austin Black, Ray Alvarado, Kenny Sanchez and Palmer Long each scored goals. Alec Thompson earned the shutout as goalkeeper.
OHS SPORTS SCHEDULE
Softball-
March 6-7 at AHS Tournament.
March 10 at Smiths Station, JV at 4pm, varsity at’5
March 11 host Auburn at West Ridge, 5:30
Baseball-
March 7, host Northview and Dadeville. First pitch 10:30 a.m.
March 9 at Smiths Station 4 pm
Tennis-
March 12 Valley (boys and girls) at Calhoun Tennis Center, 3:30pm
Soccer-
March 10 host Russell County, girls at 5pm, boys at 7pm
Golf-
March 9 Smiths Station at Lakewood golf course.
DIXIE BOYS BASEBALL
The Opelika Dixie Boys Baseball League is holding registration for anyone interested in playing baseball.
You must be 13- or 14-years old. Registration is at the Sportsplex until March 20. The cost is $40 which includes a jersey and a cap. All players will be placed on a team. Please bring a copy of your birth certificate when registering.
For more information, call D.Mark Mitchell at 334-319-0467.
SOCCER
REGISTRATION
Opelika Rec Spring Soccer Registration will be held March 9-20. Season beginsMarch 30. This is recreation level league play for boys and girls. Players will be placed on teams and coached
by state licensed coaches and collegiate players. It is a fun, educational and non-competitive league in which technique is emphasized. Shin guards are required and the fee is $45. Register at the Opelika SportsPlex.
TWITTER & ON THE MARK
You can keep up with Opelika Athletics by following me on Twitter @voiceofthedawgs.
You can listen to “On the Mark” radio show weekdays 7-9 am on WTLM 1520AM and online at i-heart radio.com, search for WTLM 1520AM.
D.Mark Mitchell is sports director for Qantum Radio, Alabama Dixie Boys State director and vice president of the A-O Sports Council.