Forrest needed a win in Lynchburg Tuesday night to create a three-way tie for first place in District 9-A, but some costly errors in the field by the Lady Rockets and a strong effort in the circle by Moore County ace Kasey Harvey was the difference in a 3-0 loss to the Raiderettes.

"You have to hit the ball and you can't make errors," said Forrest head coach Becky Cheatham. "We didn't hit as a team and you can't blame everything on one player, but we have got to clean up our defensive act, and we have got to start hitting the ball."

Harvey went the distance for the victory, scattering four hits, while striking out eight and walking one Forrest batter.

Strong effort

Lady Rocket starter Katie Warrick turned in a strong circle effort, giving up just one earned run on three hits and three bases on bases, while whiffing two Moore County hitters.

Forrest committed six errors in the contest and left six runners stranded on the bases.

Warrick, Sara Jordan, and Kaitlin Toombs all had one hit in the game, while eighth-grader Lainey Mays beat out an infield single in her first varsity at bat as a pinch hitter in the sixth inning.

The only other base runners for Forrest came via a base on balls by Kelsey Darnell (stolen base) in the third inning, and in the fifth inning, Kiyoko Puca reached on an error and stole second.

In control

Harvey was in control from the outset, striking out the side in the top of the first inning and whiffing two more Lady Rockets in the second, before Harvey and the Raiderettes plated all the runs they would need in the home half of the frame.

Sara Raby led off the fateful second and reached on error before Warrick got the first out on a force play at second base.

A potential inning-ending double play ball turned into an error that left Raiderettes on first and second.

Both runners moved up to second and third with two outs on an unassisted put out by Liz Daughrity at first base.

Back-to-back bases on balls to Katie Bowles and Savannah Stevens made it a 1-0 ballgame before Kelsey Camp delivered a two-run single to center field, putting the home team up three-zip.

The only time Forrest had two runners on base at the same time came in the top of the fifth with Toombs standing on third and Puca on second, but Harvey got out of the jam on a grounder back to the circle and the Lady Rockets would not threaten again the shutout loss.

Team effort needed

"We have got to pull together as a team, get everybody else out of our heads and be successful, or let somebody divide us," said Cheatham. "Babe Ruth said, 'that you could have the greatest group of individuals in the world, but they are not worth a dime until they learn to play as a team' and we have got to do that, right now."

Forrest hosts Huntland on Wednesday before travelling to Spring Hill (7-7) on Thursday.

On Monday, Forrest (10-4, 6-2) will try for some revenge, hosting Moore County (9-4, 6-0) on Senior Night in Chapel Hill, slated for a 5:30 p.m. start.

With Cascade's unexpected 8-5 loss to Eagleville Tuesday night, Forrest can guarantee a second place finish in the final district standings with wins in their last four district games, leading up to the District 9-A Tournament that will be held at Huntland this year.