Houston Matlock delivers a strike against Shelbyville on Friday night. He pitched a no-hitter against the Golden Eagles. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedordcountypost.com
SHELBYVILLE — The Forrest Rockets did everything except walk away with a win on Friday night at Shelbvyille Central.
Houston Matlock tossed a no-hitter and after falling behind 4-0, the Rockets rallied with a big fifth inning, but came up short against the Golden Eagles in a 4-3 loss.
Matlock tossed another gem for the Rockets, going six innings, allowing just four runs, just three of which were earned, while punching out seven batters.
Shelbyville plated three in the first inning and tacked on the eventual game-winner in the third inning before the Rockets came alive in the fifth.
Tyler Baxter drew a one-out walk and Branham Haynes singled to the left side of the infield to put two on with one out in the inning.
Kason Fuller then smacked a ground ball single to center field, knocking in the first run of the game.
Luke Allen followed with a RBI single to left, scoring Haynes to cut the Eagle lead in half.
Forrest got one final run in the inning on a sac-fly RBI from Paxton Mealer.
Although Forrest rallied for three in the fifth, the Rockets weren’t able to push any more runs across the plate.
Haynes, Fuller and Allen all recorded two hits against the Eagles.
Forrest fell in another hard-fought loss on Saturday to Coffee County, 11-7, before righting the ship with a big district win against Cascade on Monday evening, beating the Champions in Chapel Hill, 5-1.
Forrest 000 030 0 — 3 8 1
Shelbyville 301 000 0 — 4 0 2
Forrest: Tyler Baxter 1-for-3, Branham Haynes 2-for-4, Kason Fuller 2-for-4, Luke Allen 2-for-2, Paxton Mealer 1-for-2.
WP: Lovvorn
LP: Matlock
