CHATTANOOGA — Needing just three innings Thursday, Bradley Central capped off a District 6-4A series sweep over Howard by a combined 45-0 tally.
After back-to-back 13-0, five inning affairs Monday, the Bears exploded for eight runs in the game's first at bat Thursday before putting up an 11-spot in the second to end the game extra early with a 19-0 outcome.
Bradley (9-6, 3-0 District 6-4A) welcomed cross-county rival Walker Valley to the McKenzie Baseball Complex after presstime Friday (check online for results).
The Bears will return to district play this week at Ooltewah Monday and Thursday, plus entertaining the Owls Tuesday. Continuing their Friday night schedule this season, Bradley will travel to Boyd Buchanan on April 12.
With the first nine batters reaching base, Bradley sent 14 men to the plate to put the eight opening runson the board in the top of the first.
The Bears opened the scoring on a two-run single by UTC football signee Luke Keith.
After a fielder's choice, Cleveland State signee Hank Adams ripped a triple to plate two more teammates.
Colby Stott followed with a run-scoring single, before Northwestern football signee Tito Williams brought home two more with a hit to centerfield.
The final score of the frame came on Jaxon Humble's second hit of the inning, this one a double to plate Williams.
After Bear starter Ethan Wilds set the hosts down in order in the bottom of the frame, the hit parade continued.
This time the first 11 got on base, including for that were "plunked" and three others drawing walks.
Stott brought home the first run of the rally with a single, before Brew, Humble and B Stone each plated a a score by "taking one for the team."
Keith delivered just the second hit of the at bat to drive in one, while Bryan signee Josh Leek drew a bases-loaded RBI-walk.
Despite grounding into a fielder's choice, Alomar picked up a "ribbie," before Cassada stroked a run-scoring double.
Williams added a two-out two-bagger to bring in Cassada, while Brew went back-to-back with two baggers to set the stage for the final run, which came off Humble's third hit of the contest.
After Wilds set the Hustlin' Tigers down in order again in the second, his perfect game was spoiled with a leadoff single in the bottom of the third. He answered with two more strikeouts and a ground out to cap the night.
Wilds records 7 Ks in nine out and didn't walk a batter, needing just 38 pitches against 10 batters for the victory.
Humble and Keith both went 3-for-3 with three RBI, while Williams was 2-for-2, with a walk to also plate a trio of teammates and scored three times. Cassada, who had a hit and a pair of free passes, and Alomar completed the circle three times as well.
Stone was a ball magnet, getting hit three times, while Adams, Humble and Brew were also "plunked." Brew also reached on a double and a walk and scored twice.
Game Summary
District 6-4A
Thursday, April 4
in Chattanooga
Bradley Central 8(11)0 — 19 15 0
Howard 000 — 0 1 2
WP: Ethan Wilds. LP: J. McKevie. 3B: Hank Adams (BC). 2B: Tito Williams, Jaxon Humble, Alex Brew, Teigan Cassada, Josh Leek (BC). RBI: Luke Keith 3, Humble 3, Williams 3, Adams 2, Colby Stott 2, Cassada, Jonathan Alomar, Leek, Brew, B Stone (BC). Records: Bradley Central 9-6, 3-0 District 6-4A; Howard 2-9, 0-3 District 6-4A.
