The FMS Rockets gave up a first inning run to Liberty before rolling over the Patriots 11-4 Monday in Chapel Hill, improving their record to 2-0 on the young season.

"We've had a great start to the season," said FMS head coach Bart Joyce. "The boys have worked really hard, but we still have a lot of work to do."

Second win

Jonathan Lykins picked up his second win of the season on the hill, giving up two runs (one earned) on six hits over four innings of work.

Lykins walked his first batter of the season, hit one Patriot hitter, and whiffed four before giving way to Marshall McKee in the fifth inning.

McKee took the ball and went the rest of the way in three solid innings of work on the mound, surrendering two runs (one earned) on two hits, while walking one and striking out four Liberty batters.

McKee also knocked in two runs in the contest that saw the Rockets down 1-0 after Liberty's Will Warner knocked Luke Davidson home in the top of the first inning.

Warner supplied most of the offense for Liberty, going a perfect 4-4 at the plate, while Davidson had two hits and an RBI in the contest.

Early lead

Forrest scored two unearned runs in the first inning thanks to three Patriot errors and the Rockets added two more runs in the second inning, including an RBI base knock by Jaylen Smith, who finished the contest with one hit and one base on balls.

FMS tacked on another unearned run in the third to take a 5-1 lead, while Liberty added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to cut the Forrest lead to 5-3.

After McKee set down Patriots in order in the top of the sixth, the Rockets exploded in the home half of the inning, scoring six times to put the game away at 11-3.

"It was great to see the boys not get down," said Joyce. "That's what I was most proud of this game was how well they fought to get that win."

First big hit

Jordan Jent picked up the Rockets' first extra-base hit of the season in the rally when he slammed a bases-loaded, two-run double in the six-run frame.

Jent also scored a run and had two assists and two putouts at second base.

McKee knocked in a run in the inning on a fielder's choice RBI and Luke Cunningham drove home another on a RBI bunt single.

Cunningham had a big day at the dish for the Rockets, clubbing two hits, driving in a run and scoring twice in four plate appearances.

Alex Huey had one hit, scored once and grabbed six putouts at the first base bag.

Double threat

Jacob Jones was solid behind the plate for Joyce and had a nice day in front of it too, going 1-2 with two runs scored, while walking once and reaching base when a pitch hit him.

Dustin Brashear chipped in with one hit, scored two runs and had a pair of putouts and assists in his time at third base and in right field during the game.

J.T. Ferguson rounded out the attack with two runs scored, drew two bases on balls, and had one putout in the outfield.

"I've got a good group of 8th graders that aren't flashy but they work hard and are solid players," said Joyce. "Lykins was great on the mound, McKee came through at the plate as well as finishing the game on the hill, and Jones and Cunningham both got the job done at the plate, while Jent came up with a big based loaded hit."

The Rockets travel to Spring Hill on Thursday and will play a double-header at Community on Monday.