The Forrest Rockets pose on the infield after Game 2 of the Class 2A state sectional win over Stewart County on Thursday night. The win marks Forrest’s third trip to the state tournament in four years. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
Starting pitcher Tyler Baxter delivers a pitch in the first inning of Game 2 in the sectional series. He went five innings and gave up just one run on six hits. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
CHAPEL HILL — For the third time in four years, the Forrest Rockets are headed to the Class 2A state tournament.
On Thursday night, the Rockets completed the sectional series sweep of Stewart County, dominating the Rebels 11-1 in Game 2.
“It’s awesome to see once it kind of flipped over to May and we knew the postseason was here, we turned it up to another gear. I’m incredibly proud of these boys. I can’t say enough about them,” Rocket coach Andy Burkett said.
Forrest has dominated its postseason run thus far, going a perfect 6-0 and collecting district and region title en route to qualifying for the state tournament.
And it hasn’t been just one area of the Rockets’ game that’s been impressive—it’
Kason Fuller connects on a line drive in the top of the third, driving home the first two runs of the game. He went 3-for-3 with three RBIs on Thursday. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
s been a complete team effort from timely hitting with runners in scoring position, to flashing the leather and coming up with key defensive plays, to dominant pitching.
“To have a team that is complete and be able to do all the phases of the game the right way, it 1. makes coaching third base a lot more fun for me but 2. it makes it a lot more compelling as far as my job is concerned because we have a lot of weapons we can use. I think that was on full display tonight,” Burkett said.
Forrest got five strong innings from Tyler Baxter on the mound, who pitched out of a handful of jams against the Rebels.
In the bottom of the second, Stewart County loaded the bases with two outs, but Baxter was able to pitch to contact and record a pop out.
The Rocket lineup backed his effort in the third and
Rocket head coach Andy Burkett lets out a roar of emotion after Forrest took a 2-0 lead on a Kason Fuller two RBI single in the third. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
Kason Fuller knocked in a pair of runs on a RBI double.
Forrest continued to put runners on the base paths and in the top of the fifth, Lane Smith drew a lead off walk and then moved into scoring position on a sac-bunt by Baxter.
Branham Haynes then drove in a third run of the game on a single to center field.
Matthew Morgan later drew a bases loaded walk and with the small ball approach working, Paxton Mealer then laid down a perfect bunt single and Haynes then scored after the Rebels were unable to make a play on the attempt.
Although Stewart County got a run back in the bottom of the inning, the Rockets kept the foot on the throttle and made sure there would be no improbable rally.
Forrest closed the game with a six-run seventh inning that featured seven hits, including a two RBI double by Haynes.
“It’s one of those things where I think over the past couple of years we either had an identity one way or the other. It was either pitching and defense, or it was a small ball team, or a team that kind of banged the ball around the yard,” Burkett said.
Forrest put forth perhaps the most complete effort of the season, showcased in the Game 2 win.
The Rockets held the Rebels to just one run in 14 innings thanks largely in part to the efforts of the anchor of the rotation by Baxter, Reid Gentry and Luke Allen.
Paxton Mealer successfully connects on a bunt, scoring Kason Fuller from third on the squeeze in the top of the fifth. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
“They were incredible and they’ve been incredible all year long. Luke thankfully didn’t have to really throw a pitch in the region tournament. He’s going to be instrumental for us in our success in the state tournament. With our pitching depth, we’ve got a chance if we can really get the bats rolling,” Burkett said.
Gentry preceded Baxter’s stellar Game 2 outing with a gem of his own in Game 1, pitching a three-hit shutout and striking out seven batters.
Haynes and Fuller each drove in three runs on Thursday, with Baxter driving in two.
Allen pitched the final two scoreless innings in relief and gave up just one hit.
Thursday night’s win punches the Rockets’ ticket back to the state tournament after Forrest failed to advance beyond the region semifinals a year ago.
“Getting eliminated last year in the region tournament, more than anything motivated this team to be different. We came in with a different approach to a lot of things, whether it was offensively, or whether it was building up our pitching staff or some of our approaches on defense or most certainly our changes on base running and these guys bought in from Day 1,” Burkett s
The Rockets dogpile on the infield after recording the final out against Stewart County. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
aid.
While teams could certainly rest on their laurels thus far in the season, Burkett said his team is just hungry to make school history in the upcoming state tournament.
“They’re just hungry. We’ve made it to the state tournament eight times now and three out of the last four years. I hope they want to be different and they want to be special—and I think they are. I think they’ve got what it takes,” he said.
“You have to play good ball, but you need a little bit of luck to go your way too. But when the dust settles, there’s no better group of 28 guys I’d rather coach than these guys right here.”
The Rockets will begin play in the Class 2A state tournament on Tuesday against Liberty Creek at 4 p.m. at Stewarts Creek High School.
Forrest 002 030 6 — 11 12 1
Stewart Co. 000 010 0 — 1 7 1
Forrest: Tyler Baxter 2-for-3, Branham Haynes 2-for-5, Kason Fuller 3-for-3, Matthew Morgan 1-for-4, Paxton Mealer 2-for-4, Blaze Bourne 1-for-1, Houston Matlock 1-for-4.
WP: Baxter
