Softball Game Preview: Oak Ridge Wildcats vs. Halls Red Devils

Oak Ridge hasn't had much luck against Halls recently, but that could start to change on Tuesday. The Wildcats will head out on the road to face off against the Red Devils at 6:00 p.m. Both come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.

Oak Ridge barely beat Rockwood the last time the pair played, but that sure wasn't the case this time around. The Wildcats' pitcher stepped up to hand the Tigers a 13-0 shutout on Monday. The win was a breath of fresh air for the Wildcats as it put an end to their eight-game losing streak.

Emmerson Bradshaw was a major factor no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only one hit while striking out six over five innings pitched. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in ten consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs while going 2-for-4. That's the most runs she has posted since back in March.

Gloria Rust

Hits (Career)

04/14/25 @ Rockwood	3
04/29/24 vs Anderson County	2
03/18/25 @ Campbell County	1
03/03/25 vs Harriman	1
04/25/24 vs Coalfield	1

In other batting news, Gloria Rust was a standout: she scored a run and stole two bases while going 3-for-3. Those three hits gave her a new career-high. Lily Faulkner also deserves some recognition as she got her first hit of the season.

Oak Ridge always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .528. They are a perfect 3-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.

Meanwhile, Halls faced Green Hill in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Saturday. The Red Devils narrowly escaped with a victory as the team sidled past the Hawks 4-2. Winning may never get old, but the Red Devils sure are getting used to it with their sixth in a row.

Atiana Stamper looked comfortable as she struck out eight batters over four innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off two hits.

On the hitting side, Halls saw eight different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Makaylie Hutchison, who scored a run while going 2-for-3.

Oak Ridge's record now sits at 4-12. As for Halls, their record is now 23-4-1.

Oak Ridge might still be hurting after the 9-0 loss they got from Halls in their previous meeting back in March. Can the Wildcats avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.