ON THE MARK
D. MARK MITCHELL
The Opelika High School varsity soccer teams swept Valley in Fairfax last week. The Lady Bulldogs beat the Rams 10-0 in their first area game behind a hat trick (three goals) from Scarlet Posadas. Ana Garcia, Amiya Brown, Ashley Hilyer, Morgan Watts and Marlee Story scored one goal apiece. Karly Phatsadavong led with three assists.
The OHS boys beat Valley 10-1 at the Sportsplex in Valley, last week. The Bulldogs were led by Said Rujuana and Moe Forbes (three goals apiece). Single goals: Vincent Thammavong, Nathan Faison and Ethan Neman. Assists were by: Dexter Graham, Luke Roberts, Moe Forbes, Ethan Newman, George Meyers, Jadon Gamble and Mathew Awbrey.
The Bulldog varsity soccer teams then defeated future 7A foe Central, 2-1 and 11-1, respectively, at the W James Samford Complex. In the boys’ game, Meyers served the ball in front of Forbes who scored the first goal. Newman scored a goal off an assists from Roberts.
SOFTBALL
The OHS Lady Bulldog softball team (3-5) lost four games in the “Pelham Tournament” at Pelham High School, last weekend.
Opelika managed one hit in a 9-1 loss to Satsuma. Nya Thomas recorded the hit and RBI. In the circle, Yountz, Harrelson and Stringer combined to pitch five innings in the circle. Game two was a 13-4 loss to the Indians, behind 10 hits. OHS only recorded two hits, singles from Yountz and Lyles. Jasper beat OHS, 5-4, behind 12 hits. Savannah George recorded the only two hits of the game. Stringer took the loss in the circle.
Lastly, the Pelham Panthers beat Opelika 15-0 in the final game of the tournament. For the third straight game, the Lady Bulldogs mustered just two hits, singles by Jones and KD Lee. Jones took the loss in the circle.
OMS SOFTBALL
The Opelika Middle School team finished third in the “Opelika Preseason Tournament” at West Ridge Park. The Lady Bulldogs beat Tuskegee 15-6, Prattville 5-4, Sanford 6-2, and lost to Smiths Station 1-10 and Floyd Middle School 4-2.
JV / OHS BASEBALL
The OHS Junior Varsity baseball team beat Benjamin Russell 14-6 in Alex city.
Opelika’s varsity beat Smiths Station 0-2, and lost 8-7 to Benjamin Russell last week.
The Bulldogs shutout the Panthers 0-2 behind strong pitching from JT McArdle and Jackson Harris. McArdle pitched four innings, allowed zero runs, recorded four strikeouts and allowed one hit. Harris pitched three innings of one-hit baseball. Offensively, Jake Chase recorded two hits and Harrison Long and Trent Fields added singles.
Benjamin Russel scored the game-winning run in the bottom of 7th inning to make the final score 8-7. Harris slugged three hits to lead the ‘Dawgs. Long, Brooks Bryan, Chase, Jake Smith, Paul Goodman, Taylor Fields and Brantley Davis recorded hits.
On the mound, McArdle and Kadylion Ligon pitched one inning apiece. Caleb Chisum pitched three innings,Davis pitched two innings and Luke Murray pitched 1- and-1/3 innings. The five pitchers allowed nine hits, allowed four earned runs and recorded 13 strikeouts.
The Dogs ended the week with 3-2 record.
TENNIS
Opelika’s girls tennis team beat Enterprise, 6-3, last week. The following won matches for the Lady Bulldogs: Luci Long (10-1) , Emma Brown (10-5), Vera Smith T (10-1) and Martha Pugh (10-4). Doubles winners: Vera Smith T / Addison Kemp (8-1) and Emma Brown / Cara Montel.
The OHS boys defeated Enterprise 6-3. Single winners: Conner Mullins (10-2), Charles Gagliano (11-10) and Roman Gagliano (11-10). Doubles winners: Charles Gagliano / Roman Gagliano (8-1), Connor Mullins / Will Fuller (8-2) and Jake Walters and Dru Gagliano (8-6).
OPELIKA DIXIE BOYS
Registration is underway for Opelika Dixie Boys Baseball, ages 13,14 and 15, at the Opelika Sportplex. Anyone interested in playing organized summer baseball can register Monday through Friday (8 a.m. to 9 p.m.) Saturday (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.)
Cost is $45 if you live in the city of Opelika and $50 if you live outside the city limits. Registration covers your cap and jersey; players must furnish, pants, glove and helmet. Every player will be placed on a team. For more information contact D.Mark Mitchell at foxonthemark@yahoo.com or 334-787-1514.
D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports the Game 910-1310, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Youth Baseball state director.