Late hitting, fielding mistakes plague Oak Ridge in sectional loss

After winning their district for the first time since 2018, the Oak Ridge Bluejays fell in the sectional round to Greenwood, 12-5, at home on Monday to end their 2023 campaign.

Greenwood pounced early, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first to take a commanding lead after just one inning. The Bluejays responded, however, with four runs of their own and then tacked a fifth run on in the third after holding Greenwood scoreless in the second.

Riding high on a one-run lead entering the bottom of the third, Oak Ridge surrendered five runs to Greenwood and never recovered, eventually falling by seven runs to the visitors from Springfield to end the 2023 season at 9-12.

“We had resilience all year. We had three injuries right off the bat at the beginning of the year,” Oak Ridge coach Robert Friese said. “The last injury was to our catcher, and we went on a six-game losing streak after that because of moving people in positions they weren't accustomed to.

“But they turned it around. We had a low against East Prairie and came back and bounced back against Meadow Heights. We were resilient. Still, today just wasn't our day.”

Resiliency carried the Bluejays to their first district title since 2018, rebounding all the way back from a 0-16 season in 2021 and lifting the Bluejays to the top seed in Class 1 District 3 before taking the district crown and hosting new competition from across the state.

In at pitcher for Oak Ridge, Tyler Bishop threw for 5.0 innings in the loss, allowing 10 hits and four walks while seeing nine runs cross – just three earned for the senior.

With a hit and a run for the Bluejays, Bishop worked to extend the baseball careers of his four-man senior class to a state quarterfinal game, but the rally fell short. Bishop quickly resonated on his classmates after the sectional loss.

Oak Ridge's Tyler Bishop dives back into first base during a May 22, 2023 matchup between Oak Ridge and Greenwood at Oak Ridge High School in Oak Ridge, Mo. Greenwood defeated Oak Ridge, 12-5, to advance to a Class 1 quarterfinal game.Cole Lee ~ Southeast Missourian

“They've been very important,” Bishop said. “They're the ones who we come in during our free time. We get this team in here and get to work. It's gonna be tough leaving this because, for all of us, this was our main sport that we played, and we're not ready to get let go of it.”

Camren Volz and Ahren Fodge, both Oak Ridge seniors, tallied one-hit, one-run lines for the Bluejays in the loss, while Volz drew a hit-by-pitch. Volz’ hit in the sixth inning came on a diving grab for first base on an infield hit, extending in “Superman” fashion to reach safely and extend an Oak Ridge rally.

After bringing the program back from a winless season in 2021, Friese stressed the importance of each class but emphasized the heart of this year’s senior class.

“All my senior classes are important to me,” Friese said. “They set the example. Camren Volz in those last innings laying out for a base there – that shows the kind of person he is and the effort he's gonna give you all the time.

“They're gonna be missed, because I've been around these kids since they were four or five years old. Losing them is gonna be a hard one for me.”

Greenwood's Chance Rose stomps on home plate after hitting a home run during a May 22, 2023 matchup between Oak Ridge and Greenwood at Oak Ridge High School in Oak Ridge, Mo. Greenwood defeated Oak Ridge, 12-5, to advance to a Class 1 quarterfinal game.Cole Lee ~ Southeast Missourian

Moving forward, Greenwood advances to play Cooter in a Class 1 quarterfinal game on Wednesday in Cooter, Mo. The Blue Jays of Greenwood run into a strong Cooter team fresh off of a 2-1 victory in extra innings against Oran.

Greenwood head coach Chris Adams comes prepared for the assignment, matching up against the 23-6 Wildcats at just 12-9 on the season. Though Monday’s victory is fresh on the minds of the Blue Jays, it’s back to the drawing board for the Wildcats.

“We both came through a kind of weak district to get here,” Adams said. “Very similar teams and they played well in a very competitive situation. Whoever won this game was is going to run into a buzzsaw against Cooter or Oran.

“In order for us to win this next game, we can't have five errors. We have to be flawless in the field and hopefully push some runs across the plate.”