Ooltewah Wins 5-AAA Baseball With 3-1 Win Over Soddy-Daisy

Trojans Face Cleveland On Thursday For Runner-Up Spot

  • Wednesday, May 8, 2013
  • John Hunt

The Cinderella run through the District 5-AAA baseball tournament for Soddy-Daisy came to a screeching halt on Wednesday evening after top-seeded Ooltewah pinned a 3-1 loss on the Trojans.

It had been a rags-to-riches story for the Trojans, who came into the tournament with an overall record of 8-21 and seeded last in the seven-team field.

The Trojans knocked off Walker Valley and Bradley to earn their spot in Wednesday's championship affair, but the Owls were just a little bit better at Soddy-Daisy's Tom Higgins Field.

Soddy-Daisy sophmore Hunter Maynor and Ooltewah senior Jackson McClain were both masterful as neither team posed much of a threat though the first four innings. Defense for both teams was outstanding as well as Soddy-Daisy's turned two double plays while Ooltewah countered with one.

Maynor allowed two hits and two walks through the first four innings as the Owls failed to score, but the fifth inning was another story as Ooltewah benefitted from four singles and a sacrifice fly to score all three of their runs.

Mitch Duncan led off with a single to center before Jared Davenport reached on an infield single.  Logan Fugate's single plated Duncan with the first run before Hayden Bradley drove in Davenport with a fly to center.

Brody Binder's single to center allowed Fugate to score before Maynor was able to get the third out.

The Trojans came right back with a run in the top of the sixth. Dev DeMatteo ripped a one-out single to left before Austin Hickey walked. Gavin Rogers flied out to deep left for the second out before Caden Ricketts plated DeMatteo with a bloop single down the line in right.

McClain, who had allowed just four hits and the one run to that point, was replaced by fire-balling Zach Thompson, who coaxed Christian Amos into a grounder to second for the third out.

Then in the seventh inning, Thompson retired the side in order to preserve McClain's win.

"That was a well-played game on both sides, but I'm happy that we could get some good at-bats in the fifth," said Ooltewah coach Brian Hitchcox after his Owls had improved to 22-11.

"We got a nice drag bunt by Davenport and the sacrifice fly by Bradley. Little things like that are what we have to do if we expect to keep advancing. Any time you win a district tournament title, you have to be happy and I certainly am.

"Our pitchers were fantastic. Jackson McClain did what he was supposed to do before Zach came in and got his second save. Both did a great job.

"Give Soddy-Daisy a lot of credit.  They got a lot better as the year went on and they played some great baseball today," the Ooltewah coach added.

Soddy-Daisy coach Jared Hensley was quick to give credit where credit was due.

"Hats off to Jackson McClain as he's a great pitcher. Our timing was a little off.  We were swinging at a lot of first pitches, but they were good swings.  But my defense played great.

"To watch my team play as tough as they did today against a very good Ooltewah team makes me really proud.  We made some plays today that we wouldn't have made at the start of the season.

"Now we have a chance to play tomorrow for a berth in the region tournament.  My guys don't want the season to end just yet," Hensley continued.

While the Soddy-Daisy coach was quick to praise McClain, he was also quick to say what a great job his sophomore southpaw did as well.

"He's really gotten better as the year progressed and he did a great job today.  He made some big pitches in critical situations, but Ooltewah had some big hits as well," Hensley added.

The Trojans were limited to four hits.  While DeMatteo and Ricketts had the last two in the sixth, Hickey had a leadoff single in the fourth while Andy Wright had a two-out single in the second.

Maynor limited the Owls to just six hits and nobody had more than one.

While Duncan, Davenport, Fugate and Binder all had singles in the three-run fifth, Bradley had a one-out single in the first while Drew Williams had a single with two outs in the fourth.

While the Owls will be off until Monday when they host a region semifinal, Soddy-Daisy returns to action at 5 on Thursday against Cleveland, which eliminated Bradley in Wednesday's second game by a 5-3 final.

Soddy-Daisy  000 001 0 -- 1 4 0

Ooltewah      000 030 x -- 3 6 0

Maynor and Clift; McClain, Thompson (6) and Binder.

(Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@comcast.net)

 

 

Latest Headlines
Sports
UTC Sofbtall Hosts ETSU In Friday Doubleheader
  • 3/28/2024

The Chattanooga softball team returns to Frost Stadium for a seven-game home stand that begins Friday afternoon against East Tennessee State in Southern Conference action. The Mocs are 21-8 ... more

Covenant Men's Tennis Loses 6-3
  • 3/28/2024

The Covenant Scots looked to boost their nonconference tennis resume with a win on the road at Oglethorpe. Covenant was unable to get the job done, as it fell 3-6. Final: Covenant 3, Oglethorpe ... more

7 Football Mocs Participate In Annual Pro Day
  • 3/28/2024

The Chattanooga Mocs had a 7-man contingent go through their paces in front of NFL scouts at the annual Pro Day. It started in the Wolford Family Strength & Conditioning Center before shifting ... more