’Cats sweep Powell, win big at West
In a short week due to weather, Oak Ridge makes the game count
Oak Ridge’s Tyler Pickens has been steady on the mound for the Wildcats, but he’s also been a force to be reckoned with in the batter’s box. (photo:Ken Leinart )
Pickens, a senior transfer from Hardin Valley Academy, was also a force with his bats as the Wildcats picked up a second-consecutive District 3-4A road win, knocking off West High 10-2 in Knoxville.
Pickens pitched six innings while surrendering four hits, two runs and two walks. He finished the contest with 12 strikeouts.
“Tyler loves taking the ball on Monday,” Oak Ridge Coach Travis Free said. “He had a big game.”
Pickens went 3-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored.
Pickens, who shut out Powell 5-0 on the road on Monday, April 3, also received plenty of offensive support from his supporting cast as Mikee Teasley went 1-for-2 with two walks and three runs, and Khyren Welch doubled and scored for the Wildcats, who are perched atop the district standings.
Richie Ferriera had a hit, scored a run and drove in another.
“We’re playing really well right now, but you’re only as good as your last game,” Free said. “We got some big hits tonight and we got some production from the top of our order and we just kept extending, extending and extending our lead.”
The Wildcats fell behind early as the Rebels scored both their runs over the first two innings. Oak Ridge scored three in the third and three in the fourth before putting the game away with four runs in the fifth.
John Ureich closed out the contest on the mound as he threw the seventh inning, giving up one hit and one walk, and posted two strikeouts.