OOLTEWAH — It wasn't all the "Alex Brew Show," but he sure starred in it Monday in District 6-4A action at Ooltewah's Bud Ball Field.
The 2023 District 5 Player of the Year and Lee University signee not only fired six innings of three-hit ball, not allowing an earned run and striking out nine, but also went 2-for-3 and drew a walk in four trips to the plate to help spark the 3-2 Bear victory.
Posting its ninth straight win, Bradley Central (11-6, 4-0 District 6-4A) stayed atop the new league standings.
Weather permitting, the Owls (3-15, 2-2) were to visit the Toby McKenzie Baseball Complex Wednesday, before returning to Ooltewah Thursday.
Neither team could break the scoring ice in the first three innings, but the host Owls did so in the bottom of the fourth with sophomore Luke Parr singled and later came home on a wild pitch.
After another scoreless frame, Bradley was able to circle the bases once in each of its final three at bats.
Sophomore Tyler Cook opened the top of the fifth with a single and was able to complete the circuit when Brew delivered a two-out single.
A pair of hits and a "plunked batsman" in the top of the sixth led to Bryan College Josh Leek putting the second Bear run on the board when Jonathan Alomar drew a bases-loaded walk.
What turned out to the be the game-winning score came in the top of the seventh when Brew, senior Jaxon Humble and UTC football signee Luke Keith each "walker the line" to start the frame and Leek followed with a sac fly.
Cleveland State signee Brody Casteel took the bump for the final Owl at bat, giving up a single and hitting a batter to open the bottom of the seventh.
After a bunt moved the runners up a base, a sac fly brought in the game's final score. Casteel was able to get the next batter to ground out for his sixth save on the season.
Junior Drew Wood fired the first half dozen innings for Ooltewah, striking out five, but handing out four free passes and six hits, plus a couple of earned runs.
Game Summary
District 6-4A
Monday, April 8
at Bud Ball Field
Bradley Central 000 011 1 — 3 6 2
Ooltewah 000 100 1 — 2 4 0
WP: Alex Brew 6 IP, 3 hits, 9 Ks, 3 BB, 2 HBP, 0 ER. LP: Drew Wood 6 IP, 6 hits, 5 Ks, 2 BB, 2 HBP, 2 ER. Save: Brody Casteel 1 IP, 1 hit, 1 ER. RBI: Brew, Josh Leek, Jonathan Alomar (BC); Wood (O). Records: Bradley Central 11-6, 4-0 District 6-4A; Ooltewah 3-15, 2-2 District 6-4A.
