By D. Mark Mitchell
sports columnist
Opelika returned from spring break last Monday, but most of the athletic contests were cancelled late in the week due to the heavy rains.
BASEBALL
The OHS baseball team (17-12) participated in the Lake Martin Classic last week. The Dawgs lost to Homewood 5-1 in game one but bounced back to beat Cleburne County, 10-0, in the second game.
Mitch Myers earned the win against Cleburne County, going four innings. Myers left the game after recording eight strike outs and no hits.
Kent Bugg earned the save by pitching the final three innings, allowing one hit and striking out four.
Blake Yountz, Jarred Bartlett, Kolby Lee and Bugg led Opelika at the plate with two hits apiece. Jesse Baker, Myers, Tommy Jackson and Cullen Senn added single hits.
Opelika hosted Benjamin Russell yesterday in an area game. The game was not complete at press time.
OHS travels to Alex City Thursday for a doubleheader.
TENNIS
Opelika High girls and boys tennis teams defeated Smiths Station, 9-0.
The girls picked up singles wins from Sam Herring, Emma Grace Scullen, Emme Levins, Sara Hollis Smith T and Taylor Watson.
Doubles winners were Herring / Scullen, Smith T/Watson and Levins/Barfield.
The boys winners singles winners were Henry Smith T, Andrew Goss, Henry Smith T, Wilson Hudson, Jack Slay, Grayson Crowley and Austin Crowley. Doubles winners were Smith T/ Slay, Goss/Hudson and Crowley/ Crowley.
SOCCER
The Opelika High soccer team won two and lost two last week. The Bulldogs beat Coffee County and Southside Gadsden. The losses were to Florence and Alabama Christian Academy.
Jafeht Marin, Jonathan Strock, Marco Vega and Arturo Ramos have all played steady soccer according to Coach Derek Hovell.
Opelika, 9-6-3, travels to Auburn Thursday to play AHS at Duck Samford Stadium in a game called “Soccer for a Cure.”
The two schools have joined together for several years to raise money to be used locally for expenses and transportation for those in Lee County with cancer.
The night starts with the girls game at 7 p.m.
SOFTBALL
The Lady Bulldog softball team hosts Auburn at West Ridge Park Thursday at 5 p.m. The girls did not play a game last week due to rain postponements.
They are 8-9, 3-1 in the area. Opelika needs to sweep Benjamin Russell later in the month to host the area tournament.
D.Mark Mitchell is sports director for iHeart Media, Alabama Dixie Boys State director and vice president of the A-O Sports Council.
