Lady Wildcats claw back with pair of big wins
An eight-game losing streak came to an end early last week for the Oak Ridge High School softball team.
The Lady Wildcats returned to the field for the first time in more than a week due to inclement weather, and won two out of three games to snap the skid.
On Monday, April 14, Oak Ridge made a triumphant return by notching a 14-0 victory over Rockwood.
Freshman pitcher Emmerson Bradshaw tossed a one-hit shutout, going the distance in a five-inning complete game.
She struck out six and walked one. Bradshaw also contributed at the plate, going 2-for-4 and scoring twice.
Her older sister, senior leadoff hitter Brenna Bradshaw, scored two runs and drove in another.
Senior Morgan Perry went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored for Oak Ridge, which turned in its best offensive showing in recent weeks by pounding out 11 hits.
Gloria Rust went a perfect 3-for-3, knocking in a run and scoring another.
Taryn McGuire singled, drove in two runs and scored once.
Lady Wildcats Coach Jeremy Gill said he was pleased with his team’s performance.
“Not taking anything away from Rockwood — they’re trying to get back to the way they were before — but it was nice to see this,” Gill said.
“We came out and did what we were supposed to do. We beat a team when we had more talent.”
Oak Ridge (5-13 overall, 1-5 in District 3-4A) fell to Knoxville Halls the following day, suffering a 15-0 loss.
The Lady Wildcats had only one base runner, as Kaylee Hickman drew a walk. Halls pitcher Atiana Stamper threw a no-hitter.
“We ran into the buzz saw that is Halls,” Gill said.
Oak Ridge, however, bounced back with a 6-5 victory over Hardin Valley Academy in eight innings Thursday at home.
The Lady Wildcats won in walk-off fashion as McGuire drove in the game-winning run on an infield groundout.
Brenna Bradshaw went 1-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Amiyah King was 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run. Hickman finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base.
Hickman earned the win in the circle, pitching 1.2 innings, giving up one hit and striking out two.
Emmerson Bradshaw started the game and pitched 6.1 innings, allowing five runs (two earned) on eight hits and four walks while striking out two.
“Hardin Valley is a team that’s a lot like us,” Gill said. “They play in a tough district, and they’re struggling a little bit, but they have some talented players and some good pitchers.
“This is probably the biggest win we’ve had since I’ve been here. And it’s been a long time since we’ve had two wins in a week.”
