Early runs, rain sends Rockets to losers bracket

Anthony S. Puca Sports Editor
Posted 5/6/21

The Forrest Rockets wasted their home field advantage in the first round of the District 12-AA Tournament Thursday night at Chapel Hill, losing a rain shortened game 4-2 to the Community Vikings.

“All teams that were playing yesterday were trying to get their games in as early as possible to miss the potential downpour that was expected at 6 p.m.,” Forrest coach Andy Burkett said. “I thought we did everything we could to get the game in, and it’s unfortunate what happened, but we have to control what we can control from here on out and will look to rebound from it.

The Rockets fell behind 3-0 after two innings and tried to claw their way back, but as they came up to bat in the bottom of the sixth inning, the skies opened up and a gulley washer sealed their fate.

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Early runs, rain sends Rockets to losers bracket

Posted

The Forrest Rockets wasted their home field advantage in the first round of the District 12-AA Tournament Thursday night at Chapel Hill, losing a rain shortened game 4-2 to the Community Vikings.

“All teams that were playing yesterday were trying to get their games in as early as possible to miss the potential downpour that was expected at 6 p.m.,” Forrest coach Andy Burkett said. “I thought we did everything we could to get the game in, and it’s unfortunate what happened, but we have to control what we can control from here on out and will look to rebound from it.

The Rockets fell behind 3-0 after two innings and tried to claw their way back, but as they came up to bat in the bottom of the sixth inning, the skies opened up and a gulley washer sealed their fate.

Forrest heads to the loser’s bracket round at noon on Saturday at Nolensville versus the loser of the Murfreesboro Central Magnet School/Marshall County game that was suspended in the seventh inning with the game tied at 1-1 Thursday night at Murfreesboro.

The two teams will finish that game at Nolensville today at 4 p.m. and the winner plays second seeded Giles County 30 minutes after the conclusion of the suspended game.

The Vikings came out swinging at Forrest on Thursday, coming up with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning.

Forrest freshman Preston Gentry started on the mound for the Rockets and after a getting the first out on a groundout, Will Reed and Dylan Norris slammed back-to-back singles with Reed scoring on a Forrest throwing error, trying to catch Norris taking second base after a throw to third in an attempt to get Reed out was unsuccessful.

Evan Petrie followed with a fielder’s choice RBI for the Vikings to make it 2-0.

“We spotted Community two runs in the first inning, and I give all the credit to them,” Burkett said. “They came out swinging and were incredibly aggressive in the batter’s box.”

“We gave them several opportunities to capitalize, and they didn't miss those chances. We have to be better especially during this time of year.”

Camden Vaughn and Cannon Cervantes got things going right from the start for the Rockets as they came up with back-to-back base hits to lead off the home half of the first inning, but they were left stranded as Reed retired the next three Forrest batters in order.

“We kept looking for the big hit multiple times, and it just didn't materialize for us,” Burkett said. “We did a good job of getting runners on base, but we failed to execute when we needed to the most. “We know the magnitude of the situation, just have to have the confidence to get the job accomplished.”

The Vikings made it a 3-0 contest in the top of the second inning on an RBI single by Reed.

The Rockets went down 1-2-3 in the home half of the inning and Gentry set down the Vikings in order in the top of the third.

Cervantes reached on a two-out error in the bottom of the inning and scored standing up on a Max Kirby RBI double to center field.

Mason Russell slammed a leadoff double in the top of the fourth inning and Cervantes came to the hill in relief of Gentry.

“Preston has been by far our most sound and effective district pitcher all year, his stats speak for themselves,” Burkett said. “I thought that he was incredibly tough pitching through some adversity and at the end of the day we were still in a position to win the ballgame due to his efforts.”

“I'm still immensely proud of the toughness he displayed.”

Samuel Holley greeted Cervantes with a base hit to put Vikings on the corners and Zander Thurber made it a 4-1 contest with an RBI sacrifice fly.

Reed set down the Rockets in order again in the bottom of the fourth inning and Cervantes escaped a bases loaded, two-out jam in the top of the fifth inning.

Andrew Timmons led off the home half of the inning with a base hit and Justin Gillespie followed with a base on balls to set up a potential comeback inning for the Rockets.

Timmons was forced at third on a grounder, but Cervantes reached on an infield error to load the sacks for the Rockets.

Kirby made it a 4-2 contest with a sacrifice fly RBI before Reed got a fly out to center to end the inning.

“Hats off to Will Reed,” Burkett said. “He battled on the mound and is a great competitor.”

“From what I know of him, he's a great kid and a talented player. He did his job, and Community reaped the benefits of his efforts on the mound.”

Cervantes set down Community 1-2-3 in the top of the sixth and with Brennan Mealer at bat in the home half of the inning, the front moved in and soaked the field in to an unplayable condition and the game was called as official.

“We were careful with our pitch counts in the opening round, and we now have all of our pitching ready to make a run at it,” Burkett said. “It will be a tough climb, but I have all the confidence in the world in our guys; it is something that we have done before...we just have to find the heart and confidence to get the job done.”

Community 210 10-4 8 2

Forrest 001 01-2 4 1

Community: Will Reed 2-for-4, Dylan Norris 1-for-3, Evan Petrie 1-for-3, Thomas Bailey 1-for-2, Mason Russell 1-for-2, Samuel Holley 1-for-2, Zander Thurber 1-for-3.

BB: Corey Paterick, Russell.

RS: Reed, Norris, Russell, Holley.

2B: Russell.

3B: Norris.

RBI: Norris, Bailey, Reed, Thurber.

SAC: Jacob Cooper, Bailey.

HBP: Holley.

SB: Paterick, Evan Petrie, Holley.

Team LOB: 7

E: Paterick, Holley.

WP: Will Reed (5IP, 6H, 2R, 0ER, 3K, 1BB).

Forrest: Camden Vaughn 1-for-3, Cannon Cervantes 1-for-3, Max Kirby 1-for-3, Andrew Timmons 1-for-2.

BB: Justin Gillespie.

RS: Cervantes, Gillespie.

2B: Kirby.

RBI: Kirby 2.

ROE: Cervantes 2.

FC: Bryson Smith, Vaughn.

Team LOB: 5

Fielding

E: Smith.

LP: Preston Gentry (3IP, 6H, 4R, 3ER, 2K, 0BB).

Relief: Cannon Cervantes (2IP, 2H, 0R, 0ER, 1K, 2BB).