Post Photo by Kacy Kincaid Preston Gentry throws a pitch in the second inning. Gentry threw six innings for the win.
Post Photo by Kacy Kincaid Branham Haynes connects on a hard-hit ball to score two RBIs. Haynes went 1-for-3 on the evening.
By KACY KINCAID
Sports Writer
CHAPEL HILL— Hot bats and a strong defense earned the Forrest Rockets a 4-1 region win over the Grundy County Yellow Jackets Wednesday evening.
In the bottom of the first, Tyler Baxter and Brennan Mealer reached after a walk and a hit respectively, each scoring on hits from Preston Gentry and Kasen Fuller.
It wasn’t until the top of the fifth when the Yellow Jackets added to the board, Isaac Campbell roping one to right-center to score Gavin Knight, closing the gap 2-1.
Thanks to a Grundy County walk and error, the Rockets started the bottom of the fifth frame with runners on first and second. A sac bunt from Gentry moved runners into scoring position.
With two outs, Fuller was intentionally walked to load the bases, bringing up Branham Haynes, who sent a hard- hit ball past shortstop to score Paxton Mealer and Baxter.
Gentry picked up the win, pitching six innings, giving up six hits and striking out seven, Baxter bringing relief in the top of the seventh.
Haynes led the offense going 1-for-3 with two RBIs, while Gentry and B. Mealer both went 1-for-3, Gentry adding an RBI.
Forrest 200 020 X – 4 3 2
Grundy C.o. 000 010 0 – 1 6 1
Forrest: Branham Haynes 1-for-3 with 2 RBIs, Preston Gentry 1-for-3 with one RBI, Brennan Mealer 1-for-3.
WP: Gentry
LP: Knight
