Wildcats baseball stays hot on the mound
Oak Ridge High School’s baseball team entered the week riding an eight-game winning streak.
The Wildcats, however, faced one final District 3-4A test with a home-and-home series against Karns — their last league matchup of the regular season.
Oak Ridge (21-4 overall, 7-1 in the district) was set to play the Beavers on Monday and Tuesday. Results were unavailable at press time, but Karns has struggled in district play this season.
“We have two (district) games this week where we’re the better team on paper,” Wildcats Coach Travis Free said.
“If we can win those games, we’ll be in line for the district championship, and we’ll make the road to the state tournament go through Oak Ridge for as long as possible.”
The Wildcats capped last week with a 4-3 non-district win over Hardin Valley Academy on Friday at Bobby Hopkins Field. The Hawks could be a regional opponent if both teams reach the Region 2-4A Tournament.
Oak Ridge used three pitchers in the win. Cy Stephens started and threw five innings, allowing two runs on eight hits with three strikeouts. Tryce Sharp pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up one run and three hits while striking out one. Peyton Witter finished the game, recording the final four outs with a walk and a strikeout to earn the save.
Kamden Welch led the offense with two hits and two RBIs. Leadoff man Warren East had a hit and scored twice, while Mikee Teasley singled and scored. Parker Free added an RBI on a sacrifice fly, and Richie Ferreia drove in a run by drawing a walk with the bases loaded.
Earlier in the week, the Wildcats swept a home-and-home district series against Knox Central, last year’s regular-season district champion and regional qualifier.
The Wildcats edged the Bobcats 1-0 in a classic pitcher’s duel on Tuesday, April 8, at home.
Oak Ridge’s junior left-hander, Welch, threw a complete game, allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out 13. Bobcats Coach Brandon Roberts countered with Nick Riordan, making his first start of the year, and he kept Oak Ridge in check most of the way.
“That was just a great game,” Coach Free said. “Brandon did a good job. He started Riordan and that was the first time he started this year. It was a good move.”
Teasley delivered the game’s only run with an RBI single that plated Whit Renegar, who had tripled. Welch also doubled in the win.
The Wildcats completed the sweep with a 7-0 victory Wednesday at Tommy Schumpert Park in Halls. Teasley started and tossed a complete game, surrendering just three hits while striking out 11.
“Our pitching is what makes us so good,” Free said. “You have Kamden and Mikee Teasley just competing and trying to do better than each other. And Cy has thrown really well. We’re playing really good defense and getting production from up and down the (batting) order.”
Parker Free had a big night at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs. Renegar doubled and scored, and Welch added a single and scored twice.
