By KACY KINCAID
Sports Writer
CHAPEL HILL — Hot bats early in the game led the Forrest Rockets to a 5-2 victory over the Mt. Pleasant Tigers Thursday night.
Forrest took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first after a RBI single from Brennan Mealer, followed up by a sacrifice fly from Kason Fuller.
With the Tigers unable to get on the board through the second, the Rockets stretched the lead in the bottom of the frame.
Branham Haynes led off the inning with a single and a Mt. Pleasant error put runners in scoring position for the Rockets.
Haynes scored on fielder’s choice, while Carter Walk plated one on a RBI single from Preston Gentry.
Singles from Michael Lindsey and Christopher Holt in the top of the third put the Tigers on the board, still trailing 4-1.
It was Mealer and Fuller again in the bottom of the fifth, with Mealer connecting for a double.
Fuller then singled to score Mealer.
Mt. Pleasant picked up one more run in the top of the sixth, but were unable to close the gap.
Walk went seven innings on the mound for Forrest, giving up six hits and two runs and striking out three.
Fuller and Mealer led offensively, Fuller going 1-for-2 with two RBIs on the night and Mealer going 2-for-3 with one RBI.
Mt. Pleasant 001 001 0 — 2 6 2
Forrest 220 010 x — 5 8 1
Mt. Pleasant: Christopher Holt 1-for-3 with a RBI, Kevin Reed 1-for-3, Peyton Boshers 1-for-3, Michael Lindsey 1-for-3
Forrest: Brennan Mealer 2-for-3 with a RBI, Kason Fuller 1-for-2 with two RBIs, Tyler Baxter 2-for-3
WP: Walk
LP: Holt