By D. Mark Mitchell
sports columnist
OHS BASEBALL
Last week, most of the Opelika City Schools enjoyed spring break, but the Bulldog baseball team (16-10, A 2-0) played and won three games over area foe Benjamin Russell High School.
The Dawgs travelled to Alex City for game one of the three game series. OHS won 10-0 in a six inning mercy rule game. Kent Bugg earned the win, pitching all six innings. Bugg allowed no runs on five hits, and struck out three Wildcat batters.
Blake Yountz led OHS at the plate with three hits. Tommy Jackson and JD Worth added two hits apiece. Chris Manley added a three-run home run. Jesse Baker, Cullen Senn, Jarred Bartlett and Mitch Myers all added singles.
The two teams played a doubleheader the next day at Bulldog Park, with Opelika winning both games; the first one 3-2 and the nightcap, 8-4.
Jared Bartlett earned the opening game win, pitching a complete game, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out six.
The Bulldogs won the final game behind Mitch Myers’ complete game on the mound. Myers allowed three hits and stuck out 12 Wildcat batters.
John David Worth and Tommy Jackson added three hits a piece.
OHS SOFTBALL
Opelika traveled to Mobile this weekend and broke even, winning two softball games and losing two. The Lady Bulldogs are 9 and 10 for the season.
OHS TRACK
AND FIELD
The Opelika track and field teams (both girls and boys) accepted an invitation to participate in the Fla. State Relays in Tallahassee, Florida, last weekend. The FSU Relays is one of the best meets in the South. Only the elite teams are invited to participate.
The OHS girls finished 11th out of 44 teams.
The OHS boys won the meet with 64.50 points , 20 points better than second place Hoover. The boys team competed against 56 teams.
The following Bulldogs achieved personal bests:
Kacey Spinks was able to achieve a personal best (PB) in the 300 meter hurdles with a time of 38.06 seconds. That time has him ranked number two in the state and number 22 in the nation.
Tytiana Lockhart’s PB in the discus was a throw of 122 feet, 11inches ranking her number one in Alabama 6A and number four in the state.
Ben Garner’s PB in the 800 meter run was one minute, 57.96 seconds, ranking him number six in the state and number one in class 6A. Garner is also currently ranked number one in the nation in the 2 kilometer steeple chase.
Jalin Marshall achieved a PB in the 400 meter run with a time of 48.91 seconds. That time has him ranked number four in the state and number two in 6A.
Hayden Washburn ran a PB of four minutes 31.55 seconds in the 1600 meter dash that has him ranked 19th in the state and fifth in class 6A.
Will Boler scored a PB in the triple jump with a jump of 46 feet 2.5 inches, ranking him first in 6A and third in the state.
CJ Jordan’s PB in the triple jump was a jump of 44 feet 7.5 inches, ranking eighth in the state and third in class 6A.
Imani Debrow attained a PB in the triple jump with a jump of 34 feet 10 inches. That jump has her ranked 20th in the state and sixth in class 6A.
The Dawgs are expected to compete for another state championship at the 2016 AHSAA track and field championships in April. Spring Sports will be back in full swing this week.
D.Mark Mitchell is sports director for iHeart Media, Alabama Dixie Boys State director and vice president of the A-O Sports Council.