ON THE MARK
D. MARK MITCHELL
Opelika City Schools observed Spring Break last week, allowing students and teachers to have a much needed break prior to end of the school year in May.
Most spring sports took the week off, with the exception of the varsity baseball team. The Bulldogs traveled to Enterprise for one game and hosted two games Saturday against Beauregard and Dadeville.
Head baseball coach Zach Blatt took his team to Enterprise last Thursday, anticipating playing Enterprise and and Pace Florida.
OHS (8-6) beat the EHS, 5-1, at Wildcat Field in Enterprise. The Bulldogs took an early lead, scoring two runs in the first inning on a double by JD Chase. OHS added two runs in the sixth inning and the final run in the 7th.
JT MxArdle earned the win on the mound by pitching five-and-one-third innings. The senior allowed just one run on four hits while striking out three batters. Caleb Chisum and Luke Murray pitched the final five outs to preserve the win.
Offensively, Harrison Long recorded a game-high three hits to lead Opelika. Paul Goodman and Taylor Fields added one hit apiece.
Rain forced the OHS to leave Friday morning without playing another game in Enterprise.
OHS then swept Beauregard (10-1) and Dadeville (13-9) last Saturday at Bulldog Park.
The Bulldogs scored 10 runs on five hits in the 10-1 win over the Hornets. Three Opelika pitchers, Jackson Harris, Kydylian Ligon and Luke Murray, combined to hold the Hornet’s hitless. Goodman led offensively, recording two hits including a home run, two RBI and three runs for OHS. Harris, Fields and Ligon added hits in the win.
In game two, Opelika beat Dadeville 13-9, in a high-scoring game. Jacob Smith broke a 9-9 tie in the bottom of the sixth with a two-run homer. The Dogs added three more runs in the sixth to win a close game. Two other players, Jake Smith and JD Chase added home runs for OHS.
Opelika dished out nine hits, two from Harris, Chase and Smith and singles from Long, Fields and Bryce Speakman.
Ligon started on the mound, pitching three innings; Killcreas and Murray pitched two innings apiece with Murray earning the win.
OHS BASKETBALL
Senior Haley Sanders was named Honorable Mention All-State by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. Congratulations!
SPRING LEAGUE/ CAMP
OHS girls’ basketball coach Blake Smalley is hosting a spring intramural league for fifth through eighth graders at Opelika Middle School. The league will play games on April 14, 20, 21, 25 and 28 from 3:45 to 5 p.m. Cost is $5 per player and includes all five dates. For more info, call Smalley at OHS (334-745-5715).
Opelika’s boys coach Wesley Button is hosting a summer camp, June 6 through 8 at OHS. The camp is for upcoming third through eighth graders. Anyone interested can go online www.opelikaathletics.com, look under summer camps or call the main office at OHS 334-745-9715.
All spring sports were back in action this week and you can find results by reading my column or listening to On the Mark on the radio on FOX Sports the Game 910AM, 6 to 9 a.m. on Monday through Friday.
ATHLETIC SCHEDULE
March 28 through April 2
March 28
– JV Baseball host Tallassee 4pm and 6pm
– Men JV Soccer vs Central at W James Samford complex 5:30
March 29
– Women Soccer vs Russell County 5pm Home
– Men Soccer vs Russell County 7pm Home
– JV Softball at Auburn 5pm
– Varsity Baseball Russell County Home 5:30
March 30
– JV Men Soccer at Smiths Station 7pm
March 31
– Baseball at Russell County 4:30
– Tennis vs Pike Road Calhoun Tennis Center 3:30
– JV Softball at Smiths Station 5:30
– Varsity Softball at Smiths Station 7pm
SPRING FOOTBALL
OHS head football coach Erik Speakman will start spring football practice May 9 and will host a Red/Black scrimmage May 20 at Bulldog Stadium. Speakman is not ready to announce his new offensive coordinator.
DIXIE BOYS BASEBALL 13 to 15 YEAR OLDS
Opelika Parks and Recreation is holding Dixie Boys Baseball registration at the Sportsplex. The league is for anyone ages 13 through 15 year olds (May 1 is age control date.). Registration fee is $45 if you live in the Opelika city limits or $45 if you live outside Opelika. Every player will be placed on a team. The fee covers your jersey and cap. More info, email D.Mark Mitchell foxonthemark@yahoo.com or call 334-787-1514. Registration ends April 15.
D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, host of “On the Mark”, Fox Sports the Game 910-1310, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Youth Baseball state director.
