Wildcats win district, first since 2002
Noah Wood pitched for the Wildcats against Campbell County in the opening round of the district tournament. Oak Ridge won the game 11-0. (photo:Tony Cox )
The Wildcats had to brave a lengthy weather delay and withstand a rally from top-seeded Knox Central to claim a 5-4 victory over the Bobcats Monday night at Tommy Schumpert Park.
With the win, the third-seeded Wildcats completed a perfect 4-0 run in the District 3-4A tournament to win their first league tournament championship since 2002.
Oak Ridge, which had two wins over Central in the tournament, also defeated Campbell County (11-0) and second-seeded Powell (9-3).
The Wildcats remained in the winner’s bracket with a 10-0 win over Central Saturday at Carson-Newman in Jefferson City.
Oak Ridge and the Bobcats both advance to the Region 2-4A
tournament, which opens at Farragut Friday. It will be the second-consecutive trip to the regionals.
In Monday night’s title tilt, the Wildcats scored three runs in the top of the second inning and added two more in the third. They had a 5-2 lead with one out in the bottom of the seventh before lightning halted action. After the lengthy stoppage, Central pulled to within one run at 5-4 on a two-run double by Cole Wessell that scored district player of the year Andrew Hill and Nick Riordan.
Richie Ferreira provided a big offensive punch for the Wildcats as he went 3-for-4. He came up with a triple, and scored two runs. Alex Franklin was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Leadoff hitter and all-state shortstop Caden Black singled and drove in a run.
In Saturday afternoon’s game against Central, the Wildcats scored eight runs in the fourth inning. Warren East homered for Oak Ridge, and Parker Free was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs.
Franklin pitched a five-inning, two-hit shutout and recorded four strikeouts.
Oak Ridge advanced to the semifinals with a 9-3 victory over second-seeded Powell on Friday. The Wildcats opened tournament play with an 11-0 victory over Campbell County at home on Wednesday, May 1.
Oak Ridge enters the region tournament having won its last seven games.