Mike Bartlett described his Stewarts Creek team as one that plays on momentum.
The RedHawks did exactly that Tuesday, scoring four runs in their first inning of Class AAA state tournament play at Oakland and keeping the momentum squarely on their side of the field in a 9-3 victory over Ravenwood.
With the win, Stewarts Creek advances into a 12:30 p.m. matchup Wednesday against the winner of Farragut/Arlington.
"Being able to get up four allowed Maddox (Vondohlen) to go do what he does - pound the (strike) zone and let us play defense behind him," Bartlett said following the victory, as his junior scattered nine hits and struck out three over six innings before Will Duffee worked a scoreless seventh to nail down the triumph.