Wildcats head back to Spring Fling with record wins
For the second-consecutive season, Oak Ridge High School’s baseball team is Murfreesboro-bound.
And this time, it’s no surprise.
The Wildcats punched their ticket to the Class 4A state tournament at the Spring Fling after sweeping Science Hill in a best-of-three sectional series at Bobby Hopkins Field.
Riding an eight-game winning streak, Oak Ridge (34-7) has now set a school record for wins in a season and is making back-to-back state tournament appearances for the first time in program history.
Oak Ridge clinched the series with a dominant 8-0 win, pounding out 10 hits while taking advantage of five Hilltoppers errors.
Leadoff hitter Warren East sparked the offense, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base.
Kamden Welch had two hits and drove in two runs, while Richie Ferreira went 2-for-3 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored. Whit Renegar also had two hits, scored twice and swiped two bases.
Class 4A Mr. Baseball finalist and University of Tennessee commit Mikee Teasley got the start and delivered five shutout innings.
He surrendered just three hits and two walks while striking out seven. Peyton Witter and Tryce Sharp each tossed a scoreless inning in relief to seal the victory.
The Wildcats opened the series with a dramatic 3-2 walk-off win on Wednesday, May 14.
Trailing 2-0 entering the bottom of the seventh, Oak Ridge rallied for three runs, capped by Ferreira’s game-winning single.
Ferreira finished 1-for-3 with a stolen base. Welch went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Witter also went 2-for-3 and drove in a run. Teasley walked twice and scored.
Oak Ridge was scheduled to open its state tournament run Tuesday night against Clarksville.
Results were not available at press time.
