HS Softball: Oak Ridge sweeps Grand Oaks to end district play

CONROE, TX -- Saturday provided great weather for the showdown between two of District 13-6A’s heavy hitters. Oak Ridge, who clinched the district title last game, was looking to celebrate with their second win over the rival Grand Oaks Grizzlies. The War Eagles did just that, leaning on their power-hitting to close out the regular season with a 6-3 win at home.

It was actually Grand Oaks who made themselves at home early in the game. The Grizzlies put up an early run thanks to a Carissa Villarreal sac fly. Defensively, with Kaetlyn Dunbar in the pitching circle, the Grizzlies held Oak Ridge hitless until the fourth inning.

Beginning in the fourth inning, the War Eagles’ bats came to life. Morgan Dutton tied the game at one with an RBI single, then the War Eagles added a second run via a walk with the bases loaded.

Kaitlynn Martinez had already made a highlight-reel play in the outfield earlier in the game. In the bottom of the fifth, she continued her great day with a solo home run to extend the lead to 3-1, before an Alyssa Lyons sac fly gave the War Eagles a 4-1 lead after five. Martinez finished 3-4 on the day.

The home run celebrations made a second appearance in the bottom of the sixth after Hailey Busshart’s two-run blast effectively put the game away.

Savanna Conway earned the win for Oak Ridge with one earned run on eight hits. Conway struck out four batters in six and one-third innings of work.

Oak Ridge (9-1 in district) will take the top seed into the playoffs starting next week. The War Eagles will face Aldine MacArthur. Grand Oaks (5-5) drops to the fourth seed and will meet Spring in the bi-district round.