HS Baseball Playoffs: War Eagles Stumble in Error-Filled Loss to Cy Woods

OAK RIDGE NORTH, TX -- The Oak Ridge War Eagles fell in their attempt to sweep the Cypress Woods Wildcats in an error-heavy, 1-12 loss that will force the Area Round series to a game three on Saturday.

Game one was a narrow win for the War Eagles, where the team had to fend off a late surge from the Wildcats to secure a 5-4 win at Cy Woods. But with the venue changing in favor of Oak Ridge, many fans filled the stands trying to cheer on their squads.

Lead-off batting from the Wildcats was an indication of the sheer hitting power Cy Woods was playing with in game two, with J.T. Darden and Ross Sullivan reaching bases in back-to-back at-bats.

It took an RBI with one out and the first major cracks from the War Eagle pitching staff on a hit-by-pitch run to get the Wildcats on the board with a 2-0 lead.

Cy Woods’ hitting prowess would carry into every inning of play. At least one run would be scored by the Wildcats in every inning through the remainder of play.

Meanwhile, the War Eagles struggled to make meaningful strides when it came to their runners coming in for scores. Hits came for Oak Ridge, but a lack of support for runners saw the team strand five total runners, with three in scoring position.

A viscous combo of Wildcat pitching and fielding left the War Eagle batters stunned in place against their defensive production. Seven total strikeouts and only one run given up in the bottom of the third ensured Cy Woods would remain in control for the rest of the game.

A solo run in the top of the second opened the floodgates for the Wildcat scorers, who feasted on the sloppy play on display from the stunned War Eagle defense. Five errors from various parts of the Oak Ridge defense scuttled chances for easy outs and gave up additional bases to the energetic Wildcat runners.

Three runs in three straight innings were back-breaking to the War Eagles, who were run-ruled inside of their own diamond by a score of 12-1 in five innings.

Fortunately for Oak Ridge, the potential to come back from the lowly appearance will come on Saturday. A game three matchup will decide who advances and whose season will end at Grand Oaks High School at 2 P.M.

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