Tyler Baxter got the win on the mound for the Rockets, going four innings and allowing just one run while striking out four. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
SMYRNA — Give Tyler Baxter a lead to pitch with and the Forrest Rockets are one of the most dangerous teams in the state.
In their second meeting in the Class 2A state tournament, Forrest got the upper hand on Liberty Creek with a dazzling performance by Baxter as the Rockets booted the Wolves from the tournament with the 11-5 win.
In their first game of the state tournament, Liberty Creek kept the Rocket bats tied up and dealt Forrest a 5-0 loss.
In that first game, Liberty Creek pounced on Forrest and built an early lead the Rockets never could recover from.
Forrest flipped the script on Liberty Creek and did the exact same thing to the Wolves in Thursday afternoon’s elimination game.
In the second meeting, Forrest hammered Liberty Creek in the first inning and belted out five hits en route to building a 6-0 lead.
Matthew Morgan, Reid Gentry, and Baxter all connected on RBI singles, while Lane Smith and Houston Mathlock each knocked in a run on a fielder’s choice.
A final run sc
Kason Fuller fires a throw to Luke Allen at first base after fielding a one-hopper at second base. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
ored on a Liberty Creek error as well.
With a 6-0 lead in hand, Baxter was as efficient as one could be during his time on the mound.
Liberty Creek managed just two baserunners against him during the first four innings, which came via walks.
Forrest continued to play add on and drove in four more runs in the top of the fifth inning.
Baxter called his own number and helped his own cause when he smacked a two RBI single to left.
Haynes plated a ninth Rocket run on a fielder’s choice before Allen scored a 10th run of the night on a RBI single to center.
With a 10-0 lead, Liberty Creek avoided the 10-run rule limit and scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Houston Matlock scored the final run of the afternoon for the Rockets when he scored on a passed ball in the top of the sixth inning.
All-in-all, Thursday afternoon was the most complete team effort thus far in the Class 2A tournament.
Baxter was the cog that made the machine go.
He went 3-for-5 with three RBIs to lead the Rockets at the plate.
He also took the win on the mound for Forrest, going four innings of no-hit baseball and allowing just a single run to
Short stop Reid Gentry makes the throw to first base for the out. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
cross the plate.
He also struck out four.
But perhaps more importantly, Baxter was lifted from the game after throwing just 53 pitches, preserving him for a potential appearance on Saturday, should Forrest qualify for the Class 2A state championship.
Matthew Morgan tossed two innings in relief and gave up just one run on two hits, while Travis Porter went an inning and allowed three runs, only one of which was earned on two hits.
Forrest now will face Lakeland Prep, who also defeated Liberty Creek, 2-1, on Thursday afternoon.
Lakeland Prep also defeated Alcoa 10-6 in its first game in the tournament as well.
In order to qualify for Saturday’s state championship, the Rockets will have to defeat Lakeland Prep twice on Friday.
Game 1 against Lakeland Prep is set for 2 p.m. on Friday, with a potential second game set for 4:30 p.m.
Forrest 600 041 0 — 11 8 1
Liberty Creek 000 040 1 — 5 4 1
Forrest: Tyler Baxter 3-for-5, Branham Haynes 1-for-5, Luke Allen 1-for-4, Matthew Morgan 1-for-4, Blaze Bourne 1-for-3, Reid Gentry 1-for-3.
WP: Baxter
