Darkness for the Bat ’Cats

ORHS, Eagles end game in tie after lights go out

March 13, 2024 by Ken Lay

The 2024 high school baseball season is a bit more than a week old and external forces have already played havoc with Oak Ridge High School.

The Wildcats had their scheduled opener at Clinton rained out Thursday, and when they finally got on the field Friday night, they couldn’t even finish a game.

Oak Ridge wound up opening the season against Gibbs at Steve Hunley Field in Corryton.

The game was contested on a wet and muddy playing surface, making things tough for both teams.

But things only got worse for the Eagles, who qualified for the Class AAA state sectionals after winning the Region 2-AAA Tournament.

The lights went out in the middle of the eighth inning and the game was ended prematurely in a 2-2 tie.

Senior outfielder Izzy Mitchell, who was used as a courtesy runner Friday night, scored both runs and stole three bases for the Wildcats (0-0-1).

The Wildcats had just four hits in the game.

Richie Ferreira had a double, while Peyton Witter, Parker Free and Warren East each collected singles.

Khyren Welch and Witter both appeared on the mound for ORHS. Welch went four innings and surrendered two unearned runs, three hits and one walk. He struck out seven Gibbs hitters.

Witter pitched three innings and surrendered one hit, while striking out four.