War Eagles erupt in win over Highlanders

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - Luken Baker’s lead-off solo home run set the tone early for the Oak Ridge War Eagles as they scored four runs in the opening frame, en route to a 18-5 district road win over The Woodlands Monday night.

Click here to watch Oak Ridge vs. The Woodlands Baseball Highlights

“I feel that we have a really good hitting team, but we haven’t shown it all year. Tonight we put some hits back-to-back-to-back, and it made a difference. I was real pleased with our focus at the plate,” said War Eagles Head Coach Mike Pirtle.

Oak Ridge (13-1, 5-0) had an offensive showcase to display what they’re capable of, erupting for a season-high 18 runs on 16 hits Monday night to keep Oak Ridge in sole possession of first place in District 16-6A.

War Eagles starting pitcher Luken Baker threw 106 pitches, going 5 1/3-innings, giving up 11 hits, four earned runs, two walks and 11 strikeouts. Baker didn’t have a showcase game on the mound, but the game didn’t call for it as Oak Ridge continued to pour on the pressure, as Oak Ridge totaled their run total in their previous four district games, 16, in one game against the Highlanders. The War Eagles scored two more runs in the third, one in the fourth and a combined 11 runs in the fifth and seventh innings, respectively.

The Woodlands (8-8-1, 2-2) tried to get back in the ballgame in the bottom of the third inning when Zach Gartner hit a line drive to right field scoring Ben Gooch and Chris Andritsos to make it a 6-3, Oak Ridge, however the War Eagles responded quickly in the next frame to cool off any hope of a Highlander comeback.

“Obviously, we are going to have to compete better, defensively. We had about four ground balls we should of made plays on, a dropped fly ball, you’re not going to win many games against good teams doing that,” said Highlanders Head Coach Ron Eastman.

Highlanders starting pitcher Devin Fontenot was never able to get into rhythm as he surrendered the home run to Baker to open the game, followed by Riley McKnight’s infield single and Michael Lawson reaching base on an error before the first out was recorded on a sacrifice. Lawson led the Oak Ridge offense, going 3-for-5 with two-RBI’s and three runs scored. The War Eagles’ one through three hitters in the line-up, Baker, McKnight, and Lawson, respectively, combined for six runs scored and six-RBI’s.

Fontenot went 4 2/3-innings giving up 10 hits and 10 earned runs, while walking three and striking out one.

The Woodlands will look to rebound on Thursday, April 2, at Summer Creek, while Oak Ridge will host Northland Christian in a non-district game on Thursday at 7pm.