War Eagles rally, walk-off past Cavaliers

CONROE, Texas - A furious rally in the bottom of the seventh inning saw the Oak Ridge War Eagles score four runs to walk-off with a 5-4 district home win over the College Park Cavaliers on Friday night.

“We just hung around long enough to get a few breaks and we had some kids that came through and that’s what it’s all about,” said War Eagles Head Coach Mike Pirtle.

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Oak Ridge (11-1, 4-0) finally saw its offense erupt in the bottom of the seventh when Matt Mihalov led off the inning with a single, followed by Luken Baker reaching on a Cavalier infield error. The War Eagles finally got a hit with a runner in scoring position when Riley McKnight’s infield single, scored Mihalov to make it a 4-2 College Park lead.

The War Eagle crowd came to life as Oak Ridge kept the inning going on Michael Lawson’s single to center field to load the bases. Coby Smith then singled to center field, scoring Riley McKnight to make it a 4-3 game with just one out in the inning.

Tyler Hicks was intentionally walked to load the bases again, setting up the double play for College Park, however Anthony Smith, turned hero with a walk-off hard ground ball to left field that scored Lawson and Demarco Thomas, giving Oak Ridge it’s fourth district win in four games, 5-4.

“This is District 16-6A baseball. There is no deep breath, not even with a 4-1 lead in the seventh inning, you have to go out and finish what you started,” said Cavaliers Head Coach Jason Washburn.

College Park (13-2, 2-1) was on cruise control with starting pitcher Tyler Mortenson, who started his first district game in his career, went six innings and gave up no earned runs, no walks and struck out 10 Oak Ridge batters while scattering seven hits.

The Cavaliers got a solo home run by Noah Vaughan to lead off the top of the seventh inning, before Oak Ridge’s rally in the bottom of the frame.

College Park was led by Colin Cameron, who went 2-for-4 with a two-RBI double in the top of the fifth inning to give College Park a 3-1 lead.

Oak Ridge hands College Park its first loss in their last 13 games, dating back to February 26. The win also gives the War Eagles sole possession of first place in District 16-6A as Atascocita defeated previously district unbeaten Summer Creek on Friday night as well.

College Park will host Summer Creek on Monday, March 30, at 7pm, while Oak Ridge will travel to The Woodlands on Monday with a 7pm start in a game that can be seen live on Woodlands Online.