Bouncing back from a disappointing blowout Monday, Bradley Central opened District 6-4A softball play with convincing shutout Tuesday.
"We are really excited to get our first district win in this year," commented head coach Hallie Geren after the 4-0 shutout of Ooltewah.
"After changing districts this past year our girls came out on a good note and we are excited to see how this season continues."
After an early three-run edge Monday, Bradley committed five errors as 2023 TSSAA State Runner-up Chattanooga Christian exploded for a pair of rallied in a 16-3 four-inning contest.
The Bearettes (2-4, 1-0 District 6-4A) will play host to old rival McMinn County (3-2) Thursday before playing in the Wildcat Classic at Warner Park in Chattanooga this weekend.
BEARETTES 4
LADY OWLS 0
One of just five upperclassmen on the squad, Kaitlyn Bailey wasn't a one-man band but led the victory going the distance in the circle, firing a three-hit shutout, with 11 strikeouts and four free passes. The senior also drove in a pair of teammates with a single at the dish.
Bradley opened the scoring in its first at bat when junior Lynlee Hodge led off with a single, stole second and came around to score when freshman Ma'Ryah Greenwood followed with a hit as well.
The host tacked on a couple of more runs in the bottom of the third frame, plus added a solo score in the fourth.
The Bearettes knock five hits off Ooltewah starter senior Zoe Cates, who notched a half dozen Ks and issued a pair of walks in a complete-game effort.
Bradley got an RBI-hits from sophomore Karly Farkas, while sophomore Alliyssia Herbold singled and scored. Freshman Addi Stanton drew a walk and was able to complete the circuit to score.
Greenwood also walked the line and circled the bases.
LADY CHARGERS 16
BEARETTES 3
Although Bradley only gave up a pair of earned runs, five Bearette 'boots' led to the rest of the CCS scores in the "mercy-rule" four-inning contest.
After holding the 2023 state runners scoreless in their first two at bats, plus posting a trio of runs themselves, Bradley's defense faltered leading to four scores in the third and a dozen more in the top of the fourth.
Three of the five Bearette hits went for extra bases with doubles by junior Lynlee Hodge, sophomore Karly Farkas and freshman Landry Johnson.
While Farkas brought home Hodge, who had a pair of hits on the day, Johnson plated Farkas and freshman Carly Hicks, who drew a pair of free passes.
Freshman Addi Stanton had the only other Bearette hit on the day.
