Baker leads Oak Ridge past Conroe

OAK RIDGE NORTH, Texas – The first inning was just a bump in the road for Luken Baker, who cruised to a complete-game victory Tuesday as the Oak Ridge High School baseball team snapped a three-game skid with an 8-3 win over Conroe.

The visiting Tigers (4-22, 0-10) pushed across two runs in the first inning to take the early lead. But Baker settled in and took command, striking out eight while tossing a four-hitter.

At the plate, Baker collected a pair of hits and the War Eagles (20-5, 5-4) didn’t waste any time in answer to Conroe’s first-inning output. Oak Ridge tallied three times in its half of the opening frame and never looked back.

The War Eagles scored three runs in each of the first two innings then added single markers in the third and sixth innings to pull away.

Addison Moss led the War Eagles’ nine-hit attack with two of his own and three RBIs. Joey Barrile contributed with a hit and an RBI. Kim Plympton also played a key role driving in two runs.

The win, coupled with Lufkin’s 3-1 loss to Bryan, enabled the War Eagles to move into fourth place in the District 14-5A standings, one game ahead of the fifth-place Panthers (4-5).

The War Eagles visit A&M Consolidated for a 7 p.m. Thursday game before returning home to take on Lufkin at 6 p.m. Tuesday.