Scoring all of its runs in the game's opening at bat, third-seeded Bradley Central rode a strong pitching performance to make it hold up, knocking off No. 2-seed East Hamilton on its own field Thursday evening, to open the District 6-4A Tournament semifinal series.
Junior Tyler Cook went the distance on the hill, firing a four-hitter and striking out eight in a 3-1 victory to give the Bears the advantage in the best-of-3 series.
The teams gather back at East Hamilton Friday evening at 6 and again Saturday afternoon at 2, if necessary, to see who advances to Monday's district championship game.
Bradley (15-16-1) loaded the bases in a hurry with a single by Jaxon Humble to open the game, before Jaden Griffey drew a walk and Cook helped his own cause with a one-base knock.
After a short fly out wouldn't let any advance, Nathan Thompson drove a sac fly to right field to plate Humble.
Delivering what turned out to be the game-winning hit, Carson Stott took care of the other two runs with a double to right field, plating Griffey and courtesy runner Paxton King, who raced all the way around from first base with the final Bear score.
East Hamilton (18-15) notched its only run in the bottom of the fifth inning when back-to-back, two-out Bear errors allowed Peyton Hunter to reach and make his way around the circuit.
Before the miscues, Cook had retired 13 straight Hurricane hitters, including seven strikeouts in a row.
East Ham threatened in the game's final at bat when Griffin Phillips hit a one-out single and Hunter followed with a double to put both in scoring position, but Cook induced an infield pop out and then stabbed a line drive back up the middle to close the game.
Cook improved to 5-1 on the hill this season, lowering his earned run average to 1.18 and his WHIP to 0.78.
The big right-hander finished with eight Ks, giving him 42 on the campaign, while handing out just a dozen free passes in 29.2 innings pitched.
Landon Rogers got on base three times for Bradley, with a pair of singles and a base on balls, while Cook had a couple of one-base knocks. Twins Carson and Colby Stott, plus Humble helped out with hits.
Gavin Huskey and Mason Wolcott had the other two Hurricane hits.
GAME SUMMARY
District 6-4A
Tournament
Semifinals
Thursday, May 1
at Ooltewah
Bradley Central 300 000 0 — 3 7 2
East Hamilton 000 010 0 — 1 4 1
WP: Tyler Cook 7 IP, 8 Ks, 0 BB, 4 hits, 0 ER. LP: Carson Davis 2 IP, 1 K, 1 BB, 4 hits, 3 ER. 2B: Carson Stott (BC); Peyton Hunter (EH). RBI: Carson Stott 2, Nathan Thompson (BC); EH none. RECORDS: Bradley Central 15-16-1; East Hamilton 18-15.