Oak Ridge Today

Kevin Steen, Red Sox pitching prospect from Oak Ridge, critically injured in car crash in Florida

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Oak Ridge Wildcats and Dobyns-Bennett

Kevin Steen (3) and Jaylin Henderson (2) are pictured playing basketball for the Oak Ridge Wildcats against Dobyns-Bennett in March 2014. (File photo by Ned Jilton II/Kingsport Times News)

Kevin Steen, a Boston Red Sox pitching prospect from Oak Ridge, was critically injured in a car crash in Florida late Wednesday night, according to the Red Sox and a CBS affiliate in Boston.

Steen was taken to a southwest Florida hospital, identified as Lee Memorial Hospital, in critical condition following the crash.

“The thoughts and prayers of the entire Red Sox organization are with minor league player Kevin Steen, who sustained serious injuries in a car accident in Florida last night,” the Red Sox said in a statement on Thursday morning. “The club will update his condition at the appropriate time.”

News reports said another car veered over a median and struck the SUV that Steen, 20, was driving. CBS Boston said the striking vehicle went airborne before crashing into Steen’s SUV. That striking vehicle caught fire, and the driver died on the scene, CBS Boston said.

The Red Sox selected the right-handed Steen in the ninth round of the 2014 draft. He has pitched 30 games in the minor leagues over the past three seasons, with 26 of them starts. [Read more…]

Softball: Lady Wildcats to honor Coach Johnson during last regular-season game tonight

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The 2017 Oak Ridge High School softball team is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

The 2017 Oak Ridge High School softball team is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats will honor retired Coach Marianne Johnson during the last regular-season game today (Thursday, April 27).

Coach Johnson retired in July 2016 after serving the student-athletes of Oak Ridge High School from 1985-2016, an event flyer said.

“Enjoy a night of memories with Coach Johnson and the ‘Pink Out’ night softball game with the Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats versus Concord Christian Lions,” the flyer said. “Come join us in celebrating Coach Marianne Johnson Appreciation Night.” [Read more…]

Soccer: So far, Oak Ridge undefeated in district

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Oak Ridge senior forward Austin Vinyard (9), battling Daniel Van Buren (25) of Powell here, scored two goals against the Panthers in a 6-0 win at the Oak Ridge Soccer Complex on Tuesday, April 11, 2017. Pictured at right is freshman forward Warren Stetzl (23). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Oak Ridge senior forward Austin Vinyard (9), battling Daniel Van Buren (25) of Powell here, scored two goals against the Panthers in a 6-0 win at the Oak Ridge Soccer Complex on Tuesday, April 11, 2017. Pictured at right is freshman forward Warren Stetzel (23). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

With two district games remaining, the Oak Ridge Wildcats are undefeated in District 3-AAA. The Wildcats improved to 8-3-2 overall at Karns on Thursday and to 6-0 in District 3-AAA.

Oak Ridge defeated Karns 4-1 on Thursday and, in their previous district game, beat Powell at home 6-0 on Tuesday, April 11.

The two remaining district games are at Central on Monday, April 24, and at Campbell County at 6 p.m. Monday, May 1.

In the meantime, Oak Ridge plays Hardin Valley Academy at home in a rescheduled non-district game that starts at 7 p.m. today (Friday, April 21). [Read more…]

Soccer photos: Oak Ridge-Powell

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Oak Ridge freshman Jonathan Rodriguez (11) scored two goals in the second half of a 6-0 win over Powell at the Oak Ridge Soccer Complex on Tuesday, April 11, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Oak Ridge freshman forward Jonathan Rodriguez (11) scored two goals in the second half of a 6-0 win over Powell at the Oak Ridge Soccer Complex on Tuesday, April 11, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

With two district games remaining, the Oak Ridge Wildcats are undefeated in District 3-AAA. The Wildcats improved to 8-3-2 overall at Karns on Thursday and to 6-0 in District 3-AAA.

The Wildcats boys’ soccer team has two district games remaining. The first is at Central on Monday, April 24, and the second is at Campbell County at 6 p.m. May 1.

Oak Ridge plays Hardin Valley Academy at home in a rescheduled non-district game that starts at 7 p.m. today (Friday, April 21).

Here are photos from an April 11 game against Powell at home at the Oak Ridge Soccer Complex. [Read more…]

Soccer: Wildcats play AC, Clinton, Gibbs possibly for last time—at least as district rivals

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Christian Avila (14) of Oak Ridge breaks away from a Gibbs defender during a 5-0 win for the Wildcats at the Oak Ridge Soccer Complex on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Christian Avila (14) of Oak Ridge breaks away from a Gibbs defender during a 5-0 win for the Wildcats at the Oak Ridge Soccer Complex on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Oak Ridge Wildcats boys’ soccer team has played the Anderson County Mavericks, Clinton Dragons, and Gibbs Eagles for what could be the last time—at least as district rivals during the regular season.

It is possible, though, that the teams could meet as non-district foes in regular season games, such as in regular-season soccer tournaments.

The Anderson County, Clinton, Gibbs, and Central boys’ soccer teams will be in the smaller Class AA classification for the 2017-2021 seasons.

Teams that will still be in District 3 (Region 2) in Class AAA are Oak Ridge and Campbell County, Halls, Karns, and Powell.

The Wildcats beat Anderson County 7-3 on Tuesday, March 28. They defeated Clinton 5-0 on Friday, March 31. [Read more…]

Soccer photos: Oak Ridge-Gibbs

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Masa Kato (5) of Oak Ridge and Curtis Russell (8) of Gibbs battle for the soccer ball during a 5-0 win for the Wildcats at the Oak Ridge Soccer Complex on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Masa Kato (5) of Oak Ridge and Curtis Russell (8) of Gibbs battle for the soccer ball during a 5-0 win for the Wildcats at the Oak Ridge Soccer Complex on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

In what could be their final meeting, the Oak Ridge boys’ soccer team beat Gibbs 5-0 in a district game on Tuesday, April 4. Here are photos by John Huotari. [Read more…]

Baseball: Wildcats win 3 of last 5 district games, play Clinton Monday

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Oak Ridge junior catcher Jacob Ownby (44) is pictured above during a 6-4 loss to Powell at Bobby Hopkins Field on Friday, March 31, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Oak Ridge junior catcher Jacob Ownby (44) is pictured above during a 6-4 loss to Powell at Bobby Hopkins Park on Friday, March 31, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Oak Ridge Wildcats have won three of their last five district baseball games. They have three more district games this week, including one at home today (Monday, April 17) against Clinton and then another at Clinton on Tuesday.

The Wildcats (9-10, 3-4 District 3-AAA) will then travel to Halls on Thursday.

Today’s varsity game against Clinton (10-15, 1-6) is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. at Bobby Hopkins Park. The junior varsity game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

Here are summaries of recent district games: [Read more…]

Baseball photos: Oak Ridge-Powell

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Oak Ridge junior Ian Campbell (24) pitches to Powell during a 6-4 loss to the Panthers at Bobby Hopkins Field on Friday, March 31, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Oak Ridge junior Ian Campbell (24) pitches to Powell during a 6-4 loss to the Panthers at Bobby Hopkins Park on Friday, March 31, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Oak Ridge Wildcats lost to Powell 6-4 at the end of March. Here are photos from the game by John Huotari. [Read more…]

Baseball photos: Oak Ridge-Campbell County

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Oak Ridge senior Brice Mlekodaj (6) is pictured above at bat during a 9-4 win over Campbell County at Bobby Hopkins Field on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Oak Ridge senior Brice Mlekodaj (6) is pictured above at bat during a 6-3 win over Campbell County at Bobby Hopkins Park on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Oak Ridge Wildcats beat Campbell County 6-3 and 9-4 in two games at home this month. Here are photos from the first game by John Huotari. [Read more…]

Baseball: Oak Ridge beats Anderson County 11-1

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Oak Ridge Caldwell Pitch Anderson County Baseball April 10 2017 Web 2

Pitcher Seth Caldwell of Oak Ridge (0) threw a complete game, throwing 71 pitches during an 11-1 win over Anderson County on Monday, April 10, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Oak Ridge Wildcats beat the Anderson County Mavericks 11-1 in five innings on Monday.

The game ended on the run rule, which finishes a game if a team is up by 10 runs or more after five innings.

Anderson County is a good opponent, and Oak Ridge doesn’t normally run rule them, Wildcats Coach Mark Garrison said. In fact, until Monday, Anderson County had won five of the last six games between the two teams, dating back to 2014. The Wildcats last beat the Mavericks twice in one season in 2013.

But Oak Ridge scored seven runs in the fourth inning against Anderson County at Bobby Hopkins Park on Monday. They had one run in the first inning, tying the game until the fourth inning, and three in the fifth. Oak Ridge shortstop Logan Williams hit a single that allowed center fielder Jaycen McGhee to score the winning run in the fifth inning, Garrison said.

With the win, the Wildcats are now 8-8 overall and 3-3 in District 3-AAA, right in the middle of the district standings. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Baseball Complex could be re-named in honor of volunteer

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The Oak Ridge Baseball Complex on Wilberforce Avenue could be re-named the Joe Mason Baseball Complex in honor of long-time community volunteer Joe Mason.

The Oak Ridge City Council will consider the re-naming during its Monday night meeting.

Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Director Jonathan Hetrick said administrators at Oak Ridge Schools and the Baseball Boosters Association have requested the re-naming.

“Mr. Mason is a 1958 graduate of Oak Ridge High School, where he lettered in baseball and football,” Hetrick said. “He has continued to support high school athletics in Oak Ridge, especially baseball, throughout his life. He spent many years coaching youth baseball in Oak Ridge. For over 30 years, he has led the maintenance efforts of the home field for the high school baseball team, Bobby Hopkins Field, along with the other ballfields at the complex. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge wins two games in softball tournament at home

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Oak Ridge lost a high-scoring 17-15 district softball game to Clinton at home on Thursday, March 30, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Oak Ridge lost a high-scoring 17-15 district softball game to Clinton at home on Thursday, March 30, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats won two games in the Oak Ridge Invitational last week.

The girls’ softball team (5-8-1, 1-5 District 3-AAA) lost a district game to Clinton, 17-15, in the first game of the tournament on Thursday.

But the next day, on Friday, the girls beat Concord Christian 8-1 and Greenback 8-2.

Oak Ridge tied White County, a team from Sparta, 4-4 on Saturday.

The last three games were all non-district games.

The Lady Wildcats also won two of three games in a softball tournament in Oneida the weekend before the Oak Ridge Invitational. [Read more…]