Reid Gentry fires a first-inning strike across the plate against Shelbyville Central on Thursday. He pitched a gem, going 6 1/3 innings, allowing one earned run on four hits, while striking out three. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
CHAPEL HILL — Forrest struck first against visiting Shelbyville Central and got a whale of an effort from starting pitcher Reid Gentry, but in the end, gave up a pair of runs in the top of the eighth and fell 3-1 in a dandy of a pitcher’s duel.
Gentry was stellar for the Rockets and dueled Golden Eagle starter Palmer Edwards into the seventh inning.
After the Golden Eagles stranded a runner on base in the top of the first, Forrest threatened to blow the game wide open in the bottom of the inning.
Tyler Baxter led off the Rocket lineup with a line drive single to center field and then Branham Haynes and Kason Fuller were both hit by a pitch in consecutive at-bats to load the bases with nobody out.
Luke Allen then stepped to the plate and slugged a rocket shot to left, scoring Baxter.
With the bases still loaded, the lead in hand and nobody out, the Shelbyville defense flashed the leather to work out of the jam.
Gentry ground into a fielder’s choice and the Eagles doubled up the Rockets on the basepaths to escape the jam.
And from there, the two starters settled into pitcher’s dream of a game.
Gentry kept the basepaths clear through the next four innings until the Eagles tied the game on a Brody Lovvorn RBI double in the top of the sixth.
Branham Haynes goes full extension to make a diving grab in right field to rob Shelbyville Central of extra bases on Thursday. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
Forrest had its best chance to score a second run of the game in the bottom of the sixth after Matthew Morgan drew a two-out walk to load the bases, but the Rockets were unable to come out with the needed hit to push the go-ahead run across the plate.
Shelbyville eventually drove in two runs in the top of the eighth and the Rockets were unable to match the effort to take the tough-luck lost against the streaking Golden Eagle team who won their 11th-straight.
Forrest accounted for five hits against the Eagles, with Luke Allen’s RBI single being the biggest hit of the night.
Travis Porter came in and pitched the final 1 2/3 innings in relief and gave up two runs on one hit to go along with one strikeout.
Edwards pitched seven innings for Shelbyville and struck out eight, while allowing one run on five hits.
Shelbyville 000 001 02 — 3 6 0
Forrest 100 000 00 — 1 5 0
Forrest: Tyler Baxter 1-for-4, Branham Haynes 1-for-3, Kason Fuller 1-for-3, Luke Allen 1-for-4, Reid Gentry 1-for-4.
WP: P. Edwards
LP: Porter
