OOLTEWAH — Both teams only had four hits, but Bradley Central turned its into five runs, while host Ooltewah only scored twice in Friday's District 6-4A series finale, at Bud Ball Field.
The 5-2 outcome was the 11th straight win for the District 6-4A leading Bears (13-9, 6-0), giving them the three-game series sweep of the Owls (3-19, 2-4).
Both teams will wrap up the league regular season this week with Bradley hosting East Hamilton (10-11, 3-2), coached by former Bear Shaw Gamble, while Ooltewah will take on Howard (2-14, 0-5).
Needing just one win to secure the top seed in the upcoming district tournament, the Bears will host the Hurricane Monday and Thursday, plus travel to Collegedale Tuesday.
Bradley opened the scoring Friday when sophomore Tyler Cook blasted a two-out shot over the left field wall for his first varsity home run.
The visitors added another solo score in the third when Lee University signee Alex Brew drew a two-out walk and then completed the circuit when Jaxon Humble popped a fly ball for a single.
Ooltewah cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the frame when a two-out single by Drew Wood brought in Caleb Henson, who had singled to open the at bat.
The host Owls evened the score in the bottom of the fourth on a solo blast by Gavin Fields.
Bradley put the game away in the sixth with a 3-spot as Spane Bristol brought home Bryan College signee Josh Leek with a ground out, Cleveland State signee Hanks Adams scored on a passed ball and Northwestern football signee Tito Williams singled home Jonathan Alomar.
Senior Ethan Wilds (2-1) picked up the pitching victory, going 5.2 innings, striking out nine, walking three and allowing just four hits.
Cleveland State signee Brody Casteel came on to set the final four Owls down in order for his seventh save in as many opportunities this season.
Game Summary
District 6-4A
Friday, April 10
at Bud Ball Field
Bradley Central 011 003 0 — 5 4 0
Ooltewah 001 100 0 — 2 4 1
WP: Ethan Wilds (2-1) 5.2, 4 hits, 9 Ks, 3 BB, 2 ER. LP: Paul Ferguson 6 IP, 4 hits, 7 Ks, 3 BB, 2 HBP, 4 ER. Save: Brody Casteel (S,7) 1.1 IP, 0 hits, 0 K, 0 BB, 0 ER. HR: Tyler Cook (BC); Gavin Fields (O). RBI: Cook, Jaxon Humble, Tito Williams, Spane Bristol (BC); Fields, Drew Wood (O). Records: Bradley Central 13-6, 6-0 District 6-4; Ooltewah 3-17, 2-4 District.
