‘Cats enjoy 4-game win streak in Classic
Noah Wood pitched for the Wildcats during Saturday’s 13-9 win against the Westview Warriors. Oak Ridge beat Sevier County, 9-0; South Milwaukee, 9-1; and Sullivan East, 11-0, on Thursday and Friday night during the Clinch River Classic. (photo:Tony Cox )
Free was correct, as the young Wildcats (9-4-1) won games but did so with solid defense and pitching, along with a few timely hits sprinkled in.
In last week’s games, however, the bats came to life for Oak Ridge as it won four games in the Clinch River Challenge.
“We played really well across the board last week,” Free said. “We hit the ball really well and I think the lowest number of runs we scored in any game was nine.
“We’re young and we’ll continue to work hard and find our way. Our bats, our offense really clicked last week.”
In a victory over Sevier County, the Wildcats collected eight hits, including three that went for extra bases, on their way to defeating the Smoky Bears 9-0 in a contest where the Wildcats also benefitted from solid work on the mound. Mikee Teasley and Peyton Witter combined on a three-hit shutout.
In addition, Teasley and Witter both enjoyed a big night at the plate.
Teasley, who started on the mound and earned the victory, helped himself with his bat as he went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. Witter was 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored.
Khyren Welch had a hit, drove in one run and scored another. Cy Stephens was 1-for-3, doubled and scored. He also drove in a run. Leadoff hitter and all-state shortstop Caden Black was hit by a pitch three times and stole three bases.
“He’s really starting to come along, and as he does, that will change things for the offense,” Free said of Black.
On the mound, Teasley pitched 4.2 innings and gave up just one hit. He finished with six strikeouts before being relieved by Witter, who went yielded two hits and had one strikeout in the game.
Oak Ridge also defeated South Milwaukee, 9-1, in tournament play as Witter had a three-hit performance and drove in four runs. He also doubled and scored. Black was 2-for-2 with a triple, three runs and an RBI.
Teasley was 2-for-3. He had a double, a triple, three run and an RBI.
Witter had three hits, including a double. He drove in four runs and scored another.
Also over the weekend, the Wildcats blanked Sullivan East, 11-0.
Alex Franklin pitched five innings and a complete game. He gave up five hits and a walk, while striking out four.
Black had two hits, including a triple. He scored three runs and drove in another against the Patriots. Stephens and Richie Ferreira each doubled and scored. Ferreira drove in two runs. Khyren Welch singled, scored and drove in a run, while Witter singled, scored and knocked in one.
Oak Ridge closed tournament play with a 13-9 win against Westview.
Freshman Parker Free (the coach’s son) hit his first high school home run. He had two hits and knocked in four runs in the game.
“That was really a special moment,” Coach Free said of his son’s first career round-tripper.
The Wildcats, who had a seven-run second inning, had Teasley, Black and Witter do well.