Ooltewah pitcher Zach ThompsonThat eerie, goosebump feeling of déjà vu wafted over Bud Ball Field most of the evening. But the shroud of doubt and the fear of repeating the past are history.
Ooltewah’s past, if not all good, is better.
The Owls defeated Coffee County 3-1 on Monday and advanced to the Region 3-AAA baseball championship game, ending a year of doubt that had dominated their nightmares since last year’s 10-inning upset loss to Warren County.
“There was no dogpile at home plate. We didn’t really celebrate,” Ooltewah coach Brian Hitchcox said. “I think the guys were so intent on finishing the job. They were focused on getting past this round.
“I think this win will allow the guys to relax and just play on Wednesday and Friday.”