CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Battling through rain showers in the first few innings, didn't dampen Bradley Central's effort in claiming their fourth district championship in the last half dozen seasons.
Scoring early and often, the Bears downed Ooltewah 13-3 in six innings Friday in the District 6-4A title game, at the McKenzie Baseball Complex.
Improving to 24-7 by winning 22 of their last 23 games, "Papa Bear" Travis Adams' sleuth earned the right to host the Region 4-A Tournament next weekend.
The Owls (9-20) also advances and will face the District 5-4A champions in the opening round.
Cleveland downed Rhea County 9-3 Friday to sweep its 5-4A semifinal series, while Walker Valley and McMinn County got suspended after just one inning and will have to pick the game up Saturday at 4.
The Tribe won the series opener 1-0.
The 5-4A championship game is slated for Monday evening.
With the Ooltewah starter struggle with the wet ball and his control, walking three and giving up a hit before making a quick exit, Bradley put up a 4-spot in its first at bat Friday.
After Lee University signee Alex Brew and junior Jaxon Humble drew free passes to open the rally, they moved up a base on sac bunt by UTC football signee Luke Keith. They both scored on wild pitches.
Sophomore Tyler Cook they "walked the line," swiped second and moved to third ona wild pitch, Cleveland State signee Hank Adams knocked the first of his three hits on the evening to drive him in.
After the pitching change, Bryan College signee Josh Leek added single to move Adams to third, after he had taken second on a wild pitch.
Northwestern football signee Tito Williams capped the rally with a RBI-sacrifice bunt.
Ooltewah answered for a trio of scores in the top of the second when Caleb Hinson walked, moved to second on a bunt single by JT Trent abd scored on a double by Gavin Field.
Drew Wood brought in the other two scored with a two-out single.
The hosts were able to tack on a pair of scores in the third inning when Adams singled, Leek brought him all the way around from first with a double and then scored himself on a two-out single by Spane Bristol.
Bradley dashed any Owl hopes with a six-run fourth frame.
After Brew reached on an error and Humble was "plunked" and Keith second successful sac bunt, Cook walked again to jam the sacks.
Adams stepped into the box and delivered a two-run single before Leek plated two more with a hit of his own.
After Williams reached on a fielder's choice, Bristol laced a two-out, run-scoring single and then senior Teigan Cassada caps the streak with a double.
A trio of free passes in the bottom of the sixth allowed Humble to knock in the final run to end the game with the "mercy rule."
Adams and Leek both went 3-for-4 and drove in a trio of teammates, with the former completing the circuit thrice and the latter once.
Brew drew a trio of free passes and knocked a hit, plus scored twice. Humble drew a walk and was hit by a pitch to go with his double, circling the bases twice and drive in one.
Bristol knocked a pair of hits and notch two RBI, while Cassada also had a walk to go with this run-scoring double.
Leek started on the bump for the Bears and earned the victory, despite just going two innings, striking out a pair, walking three and giving up five hits and all three Owl runs.
Cook came on to start the third and fired four no-hit shutout innings, notching seven Ks. and walking just one for a save.
Wood was the only Owl with two hits, driving in a pair, while Fields had a RBI-double. Trent and Brooks Smallen had the other two safeties.
Game Summary
District 6-4A Tournament Championship
Friday, May 3
at McKenzie Baseball Complex
Ooltewah 030 000 — 3 5 3
Bradley Central 402 601 — 13 11 0
Ferguson, Trent (1), Riley (5) and Fields; Leek, Cook (3) and Stott.
WP: Josh Leek. LP: Paul Ferguson. Records: Ooltewah 9-20; Bradley Central 24-7.
(Contact Joe Cannon at joe.cannon@clevelandbanner.com)