OOLTEWAH — Long before Mother Nature lit up the early sky with fireworks, lighting repeated struck at Ooltewah's softball field as Bradley Central exploded for the spring season's largest run rally to pull out victory.
Down 3-1 going into the fifth frame, the Bearettes stayed perfect in District 6-4A play by putting 13 runs on the scoreboard to invoke the "mercy-rule."
"We brought our hitting pants today, just forgot to put them on until the 5th inning," stated Bradley head coach Hallie Geren after the 14-3 outcome.
"Both teams came out here fighting. It was scoreless the first two innings and then we both started to pick up some momentum.
"We could not be more proud of the way the girls played all around — offense and defense," the Bradley mentor praised.
The Bearettes (8-13, 4-0 District 6-4A) were scheduled to go to Chattanooga Friday, weather permitting, to take on Howard in another league matchup.
In a game rescheduled from the season's opening week, Bradley will entertain county rival seventh-ranked Walker Valley Monday and wrapping up conference play Tuesday with a trip to East Hamilton.
The Bearettes will also welcome Meigs County Wednesday and journey to Whitwell Friday.
After a pair of scoreless frames to open the game, Bradley got on the scoreboard first with a run in the top of the third.
Ooltewah (8-15, 2-4) Gained the advantage with a 3-spot in the bottom of the fourth.
That's when the real fun began as the Bearettes, who only drew a pair of free passes and a Lady Owl error, pounded out the rest of their 16 hits, circling the bases a baker's dozen times.
When all was said and done, junior Lynlee Hodge posted a 4-for-4, with a pair of RBI and completed the circuit twice.
Freshman leadoff hitter My'Rah Greenwood had gone 3-for-4, including a double, plus got "plunked," scored thrice and driven in a teammate.
Sophomore Karly Farkas finished with a double and a single, plus was hit by a pitch before circling the bases all three times and plating a pair of teammates.
Freshman Addi Staton also helped out with a couple of hits and scored a run, while sophomore Alyssa Herbold ripped a double and reached on an error to score twice and bringing in a couple of runs.
Sophomore Tori Cagle made the most of her hit, blasting a three-run homer during the big rally.
All but one Bearette batter had a hit with junior Georgia Gibson driving in a pair of teammates and scoring once, while sophomore Kaylee Callahan added a RBI-hit.
Tossing the final two frames, Callahan also picked up the pitching victory with a strike out and a walk, but no hits allowed, setting down six of the seven batters she faced.
Game Summary
District 6-4A
Thursday, April 18
at Ooltewah
Bradley Central  001  0(13) — 14 16 1
Ooltewah       000  30 — 3 5 2
WP: Kaylee Callahan. LP: Hailey Schmidt. HR: Tori Cagle (BC). 2B: My'Ryah Greenwood, Alyssa Herbold (BC); Hailey Schmidt, Alex Haynes, Katelyn McCampbell (O). RBI: Cagle 3, Karly Farkas 2, Georgia Gibson 2, Herbold 2, Lynlee Hodge 2, Greenwood, Callahan (BC); McCampbell 2, Peyton Baldwin (O). Records: Bradley Central 8-13, 4-0: Ooltewah 8-15, 2-4 District 6-4A.
