Luke Allen tossed a dandy of a gem in Game 2 of the state tournament on Thursday morning, going teh distance and allowing just two unearned runs on one hit, while striking out six batters. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
Short stop Tyler Baxter fields the ball before firing the ball to first for the out. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
SMYRNA — One thing is certain when a team gets to the state tournament and that is pitching depth is everything.
When head Rocket coach turned to Luke Allen on Thursday morning, there was little doubt Forrest would get a dandy of a gem on the mound.
Did they ever.
Allen went the distance and allowed just two unearned runs on one hit while striking out six to claim the win as Forrest advanced in the Class 2A tournament with a 3-2 win over Alcoa.
Thursday morning’s win kept the Rockets’s season alive after Forrest fell 5-0 in the opener to Liberty Creek on Wednesday evening.
The Rockets were the beneficiary of some early miscues by the Tornadoes on Thursday morning and thanks to three errors, Forrest was able to score the first run of the game when Matthew Morgan reached on a sacrifice attempt, but safely reached base, allowing Branham Haynes to score.
Blaze Bourne ropes a base hit to shallow left field in the top of the third inning. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
Kason Fuller later scored on a passed ball.
After Allen sat the Tornadoes down in order in the top of the second, Forrest played add on after loading the bases with base hits by Houston Matlock and Tyler Baxter.
Haynes then walked with one out to load the bases for Fuller, who drew a walk to push a third run across the plate.
With Allen dealing on the bump, Alcoa’s bats were silenced until the top of the fourth when the Tornadoes took advantage of an error and a walk before knocking in a pair of runs on a base hit to right.
But even with the fourth-inning answer, Allen dialed in and didn’t allow another run to cross the plate.
Reid Gentry successfully gets the bunt down to move Blaze Bourne to second base. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
Forrest now advances to another elimination game against Liberty Creek, who fell to Lakeland Prep 2-1 in the winners’ bracket earlier on Thursday.
First pitch is set for 5 p.m. at Stewarts Creek.
Alcoa 000 200 0 — 2 1 7
Forrest 210 000 x — 3 3 2
Forrest: Tyler Baxter 1-for-3, Blaze Bourne 1-for-3, Houston Matlock 1-for-3.
WP: Allen.
