By D. Mark Mitchell
sports columnist
The Opelika City School System is taking spring break this week.
BASEBALL
The OHS baseball team will celebrate spring break at the ball park.
The Dawgs open their area schedule with a three-game series with Benjamin Russell.
Opelika traveled to Alex City last night for a single game. (The result was not available by press time).
The two teams play a doubleheader today at Bulldog Park, First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.
Opelika (12-9) split with Central last week. The Red Devils won game one, 12-6, scoring six runs in the second inning to open up the game.
One bright spot despite the loss was reliever Jackson Grigsby. The senior replaced starter Tyler Robinson, who left with arm discomfort, in the second inning with bases loaded and one out. He allowed one run before pitching the Dawgs out of a huge jam. Grigsby pitched five innings, allowing only one earned run.
Opelika scored 10 runs in the bottom of the sixth to beat Central 10-7 in the second game of the doubleheader.
SOFTBALL
The Opelika (8-9, A 3-1) softball team defeated Woodland and Valley last week.
The Lady Bulldogs beat Woodland 12-0 in a mercy rule game going four innings. Payton Powers earned the win in the circle, allowing one hit and no runs. TV Veasley hit her third home run of the season, while Alexis Sydnor and Jaylen Snipes added two hits apiece. Tamia O’Neal, Tatum Jones, Elizabeth Weygand, Katy Young and Payton Powers added singles.
Opelika improved to 3-1 in the area after beating Valley 10-0 at West Ridge later in the week. Freshman Audrey Barnes pitched six shutout innings, allowed one hit and struck out six to earn the win. Alexis Sydnor flexed her bat, hitting two home runs with four RBIs. Tamia O’Neal, Katy Young and TV Veasley added two hits each. Weygand and Jones both singled.
The Lady Bulldogs are in first place in the area heading into a two-game series with Benjamin Russell.
SOCCER
The Opelika boys soccer team beat Brookstone 3-1. Auturo Ramos scored two goals while teammate Jafeht Martin added the third goal of the game. Marco Vega and J’Arthur Grubbs both played solid games. The win improved OHS to 7-3-3.
OHS ATHLETICS CALENDAR
March 23 – (baseball) vs Benjamin Russell (DH)
4:30p.m. Bulldog Park
March 26 – (Ninth Grade baseball) vs Central
noon Bulldog Park
(JV baseball) vs Central
2:30p.m. Bulldog Park.
OPELIKA
FOOTBALL
The 2016 football schedule has been released. Coach Blackmon will start his eighth spring training as head coach.
The biggest question surrounding Opelika High School football…. will Jake Bentley stay at Opelika? Despite his father being hired to coach at South Carolina?
Coach Bobby Bentley and wife Paulette are returning to their home state, the state they grew up in before moving to Opelika.
Jake did a terrific job guiding our team as quarterback. It would be fun for all, except opponents, watching him play another year.
Based on the facts, I think Jake will follow his family back home.
I hope he remains as a Bulldog!
Either way, I am thankful that the Bentleys chose to live in Opelika!
We will all know soon!
One thing for sure, Opelika will have a QB next fall! His name may or may not be Bentley,
OPELIKA DIXIE BOYS
The Opelika Dixie Boys Baseball League is taking registration at the Opelika Sportsplex. The baseball league is for ages 13-14 and 15-year-olds interesting in playing baseball. The cost is $45 which includes a jersey and a cap. All players will be on a team.
For more information, email D.Mark Mitchell at foxonthemark@yahoo.com. D.Mark Mitchell is sports director for iHeart Media, Alabama Dixie Boys State director and vice president of the A-O Sports Council.