BY DANIEL SCHMIDT
FOR THE OBSERVER
AUBURN – After falling 10-0 at home to Auburn High School on April 1, the Opelika High School softball team looked to avenge the loss and secure an early area victory.
However, that revenge tour fell short as Daley Alsobrook and Alivia Harris led the Tigers to a thrilling 10-5 victory over the Bulldogs in Auburn on April 3.
Following the victory, the Tigers improve to 19-7 and 2-0 in 7A Area 4, while the Bulldogs fall to 14-13 and 0-2 in 7A Area 4.
From the first pitch, it appeared OHS would face an uphill climb on the road after Lily Brewer quickly retired the top of the Bulldogs’ rotation.
AHS did not suffer a similar problem as they came out of the dugout with bats blazing. Following singles from Alsobrook and Mary Alderson Grace, Harris opened the scoring with an emphatic three-run home run to left field that brought an electrified AHS dugout racing for home plate. It did not take long for another team meeting at home plate after Abigail Helms put the Tigers up 4-0 with a solo home run during the very next at-bat.
Facing an early deficit, the Bulldogs found themselves in a deepening hole after another hitless inning gave AHS the opportunity to further extend its lead. However, the Tigers could not add to their tally after an extended at-bat filled with foul balls did not produce a baserunner.
After two innings that resulted in very little offensively, the Bulldogs’ bats finally came to life in the third, although they could not advance a runner past second base.
Then, facing two outs, Alsobrook launched a double to deep center field that brought Gracie Mason and Caitlyn Brock in from second and first base, respectively, which grew the lead to 6-0.
As the game entered the fourth inning, a similar issue continued plaguing the Bulldogs after they were unable to capitalize on quality hits. Soon after, Emma Kate Penton placed a single deep into center field that brought Laina Rae Sawyer home from second base and grew the Tigers’ lead to seven runs.
At that point, it appeared the Tigers were well on their way toward securing a second-straight blowout victory over their crosstown rivals.
That’s when the equation changed for OHS.
With three innings left, singles from Katie Harrelson, Mylee Bordeaux and Jancyn Thompson put the Bulldogs in striking distance with the bases loaded. Faced with a golden opportunity, Jasmine Smith brought Bordeaux in with a low line-drive single. Kennedy Soltau then quickly got in on the action with a deep single to center field that brought Thompson home.
Despite the offensive resurgence, OHS ultimately had few solutions for AHS’ batters as Helms brought Grace home with a double deep into left field, and Sawyer brought Addison Clanton home with a double into center field.
Down 9-2 with just two guaranteed at-bats left, the Bulldogs began a furious comeback attempt in the sixth inning. Seventh grade phenom JZ Agee started the rally with a solo home run into left field that brought an animated OHS dugout running to home plate. Two outs later, Harrelson then kept the momentum going with a single that floated just over the second baseman’s outstretched hand and brought Smith home. Having already cut the deficit by two runs, the Bulldogs made things uneasy for the Tigers after Soltau brought Cailyn Morgan home with a double deep to left field. However, the umpire ended any hope of additional runs with a confusing out call at home base where a wild pitch went over the catcher and neither player appeared to touch each other or the plate.
With the Bulldogs’ run over and AHS ahead 9-5, Brock — who faced two outs and a full pitch count — provided the Tigers some breathing room with a double to deep left center field that brought Lily Brewer home.
Holding a secure yet uneasy advantage going into the seventh inning, the Tigers turned to their bullpen to seal the deal. That responsibility fell to Helms, who never let the Bulldogs get multiple runners on base and ended the game with two straight strikeouts.
What’s Next
The Tigers travel to Phenix City to take on Central High School on April 8 at 7:30 p.m. before welcoming CHS at home on April 9 at 7:30 p.m. The Red Devils are currently 28-3 and 2-0 in 7A Area 4, which is tied for first place with the Tigers.
The Bulldogs take a trip down Highway 280 to play at Smiths Station High School on April 8 at 5:30 p.m. and then host SSHS on April 10 at 5:30 p.m. The Panthers are currently 5-15-1 and 0-2 in 7A Area 4, which is tied for third place with the Bulldogs.