CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Both teams knocked out four hits, but Cleveland made the most of its Thursday evening, at Bill Talley Stadium.
Playing the second of three games in as many days, the Blue Raiders posted a 4-1 victory over Ooltewah.
Cleveland (8-6) will turn around to host crosstown rival Bradley Central Friday evening, while Ooltewah (1-11) will trek up I-75 to Athens to take on McMinn County at noon.
After a scoreless opening inning, Ooltewah put the first score on the board when sophomore Caleb Henson drew a walk to start the second, stole second, moved to third on a single by Cade Richardson.
The Owl baserunners then pulled off a double steal, which brought Henson sliding across the plate, beating the return throw.
After being held scoreless in their first three at bats, the Raiders evened the score in the bottom of the fourth.
Senior Nolan Copeland opened the at bat by "walking the line," swiped second and came around to score on a single by classmate Andrew Wenger.
After a scoreless fifth, the hosts put up a 3-spot in the sixth.
Virginia Tech signee Mycah Jordan and Copeland started the rally with back-to-back doubles to plate the first score.
After a walk to senior Jack McBrayer and Copeland stealing third, Wenger deliver his second RBI hit of the night.
A fielder's choice then notched the first out, before Wegner swipes third and sophomore Collin Stuart goes to second and 10th-grader Caden Tippens lifted a sac fly to bring in the final run.
Brock Smallen went 2-for-3 for the Owls, while Drew Wood had the other hit for the visitors.
While sophomore Owen Goglio tossed the first five frames for Cleveland, striking out 10 and walking just two, he gave way to junior Tyler Gardner, who notched 4 Ks in a pair of no-hit innings to earn the pitching victory.
Ooltewah starter James Trent also went five frames, with seven strikeouts and a trio of free passes in taking the loss before Smallen tossed the final three outs.
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-
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R
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OOLTEWAH
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CLEVELAND
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X
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Trent, Smallen (6) and Fields; Goglio, Gardner (6) and Tippens.
WP: Gardner. LP: Trent.
Records: Ooltewah 1-11; Cleveland 8-6.
(Enail Joe Cannon at joe.cannon@clevelandbanner.com)