Lady ’Cats show grit despite setbacks
Oak Ridge High School endured a rough week on the softball diamond, dropping a pair of games, including its District 3-4A opener against Knoxville Centra,l on Thursday night.
The Lady Wildcats (2-3, 0-1 District 3-4A) were shut down in a 4-0 loss to the Lady Bobcats, facing one of the area’s top pitchers, Zoey Cranford.
“I think Zoey just keeps getting better,” Oak Ridge Coach Jeremy Gill said. “She was good last year, but she just keeps improving. When she’s on, man, she’s on. She gave up one hit and had one walk.”
Cranford dominated, allowing just one hit, a single by Leah Curran, while also contributing at the plate, going 2-for-4.
Central did most of its damage early, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning.
“We played pretty well,” Gill said. “We gave up three runs in the first inning, and then we gave up just one the rest of the way.”
Oak Ridge pitcher Kaylee Hickman took the loss, but didn’t allow an earned run.
She gave up seven hits while throwing a complete game, finishing with 91 pitches — 57 for strikes. She walked two and struck out five.
The Lady Wildcats opened the week with a 7-2 loss at Lenoir City on Tuesday, March 11.
“Honestly, that was the worst game we’ve played all year,” Gill said. “We just couldn’t get a run. We just didn’t play well, and we’re better than that.”
Despite the loss, Oak Ridge outhit Lenoir City 11-10.
Amiyah King led the offense, going 3-for-4 with a run scored.
Brenna Bradshaw added two hits, while Morgan Perry went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Curran also singled and drove in a run.
Oak Ridge played at Anderson County on Monday and at Campbell County on Tuesday. Results were unavailable at press time.
The Lady Wildcats travel to Karns today (March 19) for a 6 p.m. first pitch.
