By D. Mark Mitchell
sports columnist
TENNIS
Opelika High’s Kevin Lazenby and Andrew Bizilia won the state 6A doubles championship. The two defeated Dothan 6-3, 7-6 to capture the crown.
Both OHS girls and boys tennis teams participated in the 6A AHSAA State Tennis Championships. The girls finished twelfth in the state while the boys finished third.
BASEBALL
The OHS baseball team defeated Benjamin Russell two out of three games to advance to the quarterfinals of the AHSAA 6A state baseball tournament.
Opelika entered the series at Bulldog Park with a 3-0 record against the Wildcats this season. The two teams split Friday night, with Opelika winning game one, 4-2, and losing game two, 6-4.
Mitch Meyers earned the win in game one. Jesse Baker and Chris Manley led the offensive charge with two hits apiece.
In Saturday’s deciding third game, Jesse Baker scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh on a passed ball to secure the 6-5 win and give OHS the series.
Jackson Reynolds started the game on the mound and Tyler Robertson relieved in the third. Robertson provided three strong innings before Jesse Baker came on to finish the game.
Opelika will play either Hillcrest or Chilton County Friday night on the road.
LISTEN TO
OPELIKA
BASEBALL
Fans can listen to the the Opelika series on the i-Heart stations.
Game one can be heard on WZMG 910 AM and game two on WKKR 97.7 FM and online at kickerfm.com/Sports
OPELIKA TRACK
& FIELD
The Opelika High girls and boys participated in the sectional meet this past weekend. The girls finished second while the boys won the section meet.
The list of top qualifiers:
Girls:
Ghania Warren- second, 100 meter hurdles,
Lauren White- sixth, 100 meter hurdles,
Jasmine Preston- third, discus and
Jada Moss- second, shot put.
Boys:
Nate Huggins- first, 100 meter sprint,
Brantan Barnett- second, 100 meters,
Kacey Spinks- first,110 meter hurdles; first, 300 meter hurdles; second, 400 meters;
Antanavious Butler- second, 300 meter hurdles,
Ben Garner- first,1600 meters; second, 3200 meters,
Hayden Washburn- sixth in 3200 meters,
Kingston Frazier- third, 400 meters,
Franklin Vickerstaff- first, discus; second, in shot put,
Devin Guice- first, high jump and
Will Boler- first, long jump; first, triple jump.
The two teams travel to Gulf Shores for the AHSAA 6A State Championship meet. The OHS boys are looking to repeat last year’s state championship.
FOOTBALL
Coach Brian Blackmon and staff started spring training Monday. This is Blackmon’s eighth spring as head coach.
The Dawgs will play Park Crossing in a spring game May 17 at Bulldog Stadium.
SOFTBALL
The OHS Lady Bulldog softball team (20-12) will play in the area tournament today in Valley. The Lady Bulldogs will play Benjamin Russell in the double elimination tournament.
The top two teams in this tournament advance to the state playoffs.
D.Mark Mitchell is sports director for iHeart Media, Alabama Dixie Boys State director and vice president of the A-O Sports Council.