In one of Oak Ridge’s better all around performances of the young season, the War Eagles appear to be polishing their game for next Tuesday’s district opener at College Park. Superb pitching and 10 hits powered the War Eagles over Killeen Ellison, 3 to 1 in their debut at the 2011 Connally Classic in Pflugerville.
The first pitch came an hour later than the scheduled 6:00 pm starting time as temperatures slid into the 50′s by the end of the game. However, the drop in temperature had no bearing on Oak Ridge’s game.
A combined two hit pitching effort by Josh Smith and Dillan Souther held a strong Killeen-Ellison contingent in check as the War Eagles won their third game in a row. Starting pitcher Josh Smith faced seven Ellison batters allowing no runs and no hits with two strikeouts on 20 pitches in two innings with the only base runner reaching base on a dropped fly ball by the third baseman. Dillan Souther threw the remaining five innings allowing just one run off two hits chalking up nine strikeouts while allowing two free passes.
With the first three batters reaching base in the last inning and Ellison scoring their sole run on an error, Souther bore down to strike out the last three batters to collect the win as he turned in his best ever performance as a War Eagle.
Oak Ridge continues to pound the ball at the plate with 10 hits in the game. Cody Althouse showed signs of recovering from a tender wrist as he went 3 for 3 at the plate and a home run short of the cycle (single, double, triple and home run). Dylan Cyr was 2 for 3 with a single and a triple. Blake Stoehr remained hot at the plate going 2 for 3 with a double and a single. Kyle Mims and Branden Navarro both were 1 for 3 with doubles. Connor Sarant rounded out the hitting with a single in the 5th frame going 1 for 2.
Oak Ridge takes on a solid Temple team at 9:00 am today in the morning and then returns to the field at 6:00 pm to avenge last years loss to the tournament host, Connally Cougars. Temple drilled Connally last night in what was both team’s opening tournament game. The last tune up game for Oak Ridge before district begins next week is a 9:00 am Saturday tilt with Seguin.
If you are in the Austin-Pflugerville area, drop by Connally High School for one or all of the games and witness for yourself just how high the War Eagles are soaring.
Box Scores
Oak Ridge 0 0 2 0 0 1 0- 3-10-3
Killeen Ellison 0 0 0 0 0 0 1- 1- 2 – 1
About Matt Smith