By D. Mark Mitchell
sports columnist
BASEBALL
The Dawgs (24-11) swept Dothan, 10-0 and 8-0 in a doubleheader last Friday night at Bulldog Park.
Game 1:
Mitch Myers was almost perfect Friday on the mound for the Bulldogs.
Myers threw 60 pitches, 47 of those were strikes. He allowed one hit, one base runner and no runs to earn the win in the opening game of the 6A state playoffs.
The Dawgs scored 10 runs in four innings behind hits from Myers, Jesse Baker, Blake Yountz, Kent Bugg, Tommie Jackson, Cullen Senn, Tommy Bartlett, J.R. Reynolds and Tommy Bartlett.
Game 2:
Opelika blanked Dothan 10-0 to win the series and advance to the second round.
Kent Bugg followed Myers with his own gem on the mound. Bugg earned the win, throwing 69 pitches, 45 of those were strikes, allowed hits and no runs.
Jesse Baker led OHS with two hits, Yountz, Bugg, Myers and Senn added hits.
The series win means the Dawgs will advance to the second round of the playoffs against Benjamin Russell Friday night at Bulldog Park.
Game 1 starts at 4:30 p.m. with game 2, starting 20 minutes after completion.
If you have a chance to attend the game Friday night, I encourage the visit. This team needs and deserves the support. I promise, you will enjoy the night!
LISTEN TO
OPELIKA BASEBALL ON THE RADIO
Fans can listen to Opelika baseball games on the radio and online at www.kickerfm.com.
Game 1 will be on WZMG 910 am and game 2 on WKKR 97.7 Kicker FM.
SOFTBALL
The Opelika Lady Bulldog softball team improved to 19-12 after beating Beulah 16-2 at Bulldog Park Monday night. Kimberly May earned the win in the circle, going five innings, allowed two hits and no earned runs. Katy Young led Opelika at the plate, with four hits. 2RBI and three runs scored. TV Veasey and Alexis Sydnor added three hits apiece. Tatum Jones, Tamei O’Neal, Elizabeth Weygand, Payton Powers and Leah Martin all singled. Opelika will travel to Jane B. Moore Field on the Auburn’s campus to play AHS, April 29 for the last regular season game. The Lady Dawgs will play in the area tournament next week.
TENNIS
OHS girls and boys tennis teams will participate in the state tournament this weekend in Gulf Shores. Both teams swept through the section tournament with undefeated records.
The series’s will start Thursday and finish on Friday.
TRACK
The Opelika boys and girls track team travel to Mountain Brook for the sectional meet.
The top five will advance to the state tournament next week in Mobile.
The boys are trying for their second straight 6A track and field championship.
SOCCER
The Opelika boys soccer team lost to Shaw 3-2 last week. The Bulldog’s Alex Phoutonesy and DeMarkus McKenzie scored goals with assists from Jafeht Marin and Auturo Ramos.
The Dawgs travelled to Smiths Station last night for the last regular season game of the year.
FOOTBALL
OHS starts spring training May 2. This will be the eighth season for Coach Brian Blackmon as head coach.
The Bulldogs are coming off a 12-1 season, region championship and a trip to the quarterfinals.
Blackmon and his staff are looking for several players to step up and replace the seniors that will graduate and fill the void left by the departure of Jake Bentley.
DR. JIM WHATLEY HONORED BY CITY COUNCIL
Dr Jim Whatley, longtime orthopedic surgeon, was honored by Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller and the city council for his years of service to OHS athletics.
Dr. Whatley returned to Opelika in 1978 to work at the Orthopaedic Clinic.
Dr. Whatley donated countless hours of his time, serving as team doctor for the Opelika football team. He attended 95 percent of the games no matter where Opelika travelled.
Dr. Whatley worked with Opelika coaches Kyle Gantt, Joe Wilson, Doug Barfield, Spence McCracken and current head coach Brian Blackmon. Whatley retired from the Orthopaedic Clinic in April. Thank you, Jim, for your service to Opelika and our athletic program. Go Dawgs!
D.Mark Mitchell is sports director for iHeart Media, Alabama Dixie Boys State director and vice president of the A-O Sports Council.
