By D. Mark Mitchell
Opelika (19-13) finished second in the Area after Benjamin Russell swept Wetumpka last week.The Bulldogs ended the regular season with a five game win streak and won seven of their last nine games.
OHS beat rival Auburn, 6-1, at Bulldog Park last week. Mitch Myers earned the win, pitching a complete game, allowing only three hits and striking out 16 Tigers.
Myers helped himself at the plate with three hits while teammates JD Worth, Jarred Bartlett and Tekeal Demunn added two hits apiece. Micah Christian and Taylor Jones added singles.
Opelika beat Park Crossing on Senior Night last Thursday to end the regular season.
OPELIKA AT
SARALAND FOR FIRST ROUND OF PLAYOFFS
Opelika (19-13) will travel to Saraland (24-8) Friday for the first round of the 6A state playoffs. Each playoff series is the best of three games.
The two teams will play a doubleheader Friday. If they split, the final game of the series will be Saturday at noon.
This marks the fourth straight playoff appearance for the Opelika baseball team.
LISTEN TO
OPELIKA
BASEBALL
ON THE
RADIO
Opelika fans can listen to the Opelika vs Saraland baseball games on WZMG 910 AM and online at kickerfm.com. Airtime is 4:50 p.m. Friday, with the first pitch at 5 p.m.
Jeff Sasser will help me broadcast the games.
OPELIKA TRACK
The newly renovated Opelika High track is almost ready for competition. The final touches are currently taking place and the fence surrounding the track is being installed.
The one million dollar track will be able to host all track meets. OHS has the only high school steeplechase course in Alabama.
The OHS boys continue to dominate, winning the Wayne Murphy Invitational in Auburn last Friday. The following OHS boys finished first or second in their event(s):
Brantan Barnett won the 100 meter dash. Ben Garner was second in the 800 meter run.Garner won the 1600 meter run.
Antanavious Butler won the 110 meter hurdles.Butler finished second in the 300 meter hurdles. CJ Jordan won the high jump. Will Boler won the long jump. Zachary Yancey finished second in the shot put.
The OHS girls finished second in their division. Individuals finishing first or second were: Diordra Larkin won the 100 and 200- meter dash. Marquania Rowell won both the triple and long jump, and finished second in the high jump.
The Opelika girls and boys teams are the favorites to win the 6A State Track Championships in the coming weeks.
SPRING FOOTBALL
The Caleb Ross era opens with spring football practice, set to begin May 1.The new coach is excited about the spring drills and the opportunity to see his players in live drills for the first time. The Dawgs will wrap up spring practice with a game at Stanhope Elmore on May 19.
D.Mark Mitchell is sports director for iHeart Media, Alabama Dixie Boys State director and vice president of the A-O Sports Council.