Three Lady Owls had three-RBI hits Tuesday as Ooltewah beat Soddy-Daisy 12-2 in five innings in a District 5-AAA high school softball game at Ooltewah.
It marked the second time this season Ooltewah (19-4, 8-1) defeated Soddy-Daisy (19-12, 5-3) by mercy rule. Combined with Walker Valley’s 5-1 victory over McMinn County on Tuesday, the Lady Owls now have a two-game lead over the rest of the district field with three games to play.
“We’re pretty confident,” said third baseman Mabry Carpenter, whose first-inning home run got Ooltewah off to a 3-0 start. “We’re all coming out and doing what we do best. We’re comfortable knowing our strengths and weaknesses. That’s a major part of being a team.”
Carpenter routinely has been Ooltewah’s No. 5 batter but has been moved up to the cleanup spot normally occupied by Aubbie Collake, who has been suspended because of a violation of a school rule. Ooltewah coach Jon Massey said it’s not known at this time whether Collake will be allowed to return to the team.
Carpenter turned on an inside pitch and sailed the ball down the left-field line and over the fence. When asked how she kept it fair Carpenter said, “I don’t know. It was low in the strike zone and I just went for it.”