After pulling off a 2-0 upset win over Moore County on Saturday, the Huntland Lady Hornets ran into a Forrest buzz saw in Tuesday night's District 9-A Tournament winner's bracket game at Eagleville that resulted in a 12-0 five-inning, run-rule win by the defending state champion Lady Rockets.

"I was pleased with our effort offensively and defensively and I think we have a little momentum here and I hope we can keep it rolling for tomorrow," Forrest coach Becky Cheatham said.

Near perfect

Samantha King ruled the night, coming within one out of a perfect game in the circle and at the plate, King went 2-for-3 with 3RBI.

King, who struck out six Lady Hornet batters, gave up a two-out, fifth inning single to pinch hitter Alli Limbaugh for her only blemish.

"I hate it for her, but the win is more important," Cheatham said. "Perfect can come later."

Forrest only managed six hits in the game, but were helped out by two fielding errors and seven bases on balls issued by Huntland starting pitcher Savannah Davis.

Early lead

King set down the Lady Hornets in order the first four innings and Forrest gave her a big early lead, scoring six runs in the second inning with one run scoring on a wild pitch, while King and Emma Stacey drove home two runs in the inning and Kelsie Darnell knocked in another run with a perfectly executed squeeze bunt RBI single with runners on second and third.

King mowed down Huntland in the top of the third inning before Forrest added a five-spot to the scoreboard on three bases on balls, an Amanda Patterson bases loaded clearing single and an RBI double by King that just missed by inches from leaving the ballpark.

The Lady Rockets scored their last run in the bottom of the fourth inning when Zoe Long led off with a bunt single, stole second and scored one out later on a Huntland fielding error.

To title game

King struck out the first two batters in the top of the fifth inning before Limbaugh slapped a clean single to left field, breaking up the perfect game, but not the party as King whiffed the next batter to end the game and send the Lady Rockets (25-8) to the championship game versus the winner of tonight's game between Huntland and Moore County at 5 p.m.

"I am pleased we got most everybody in the game and they got to contribute, so we are looking forward to tomorrow," Cheatham said.

After the conclusion of that loser's bracket final, Forrest will take on the winner, who will have the daunting task of having to beat Chapel Hill twice.

"We are in a good spot, but we won't be comfortable until we finish," Cheatham said. "Everyone is going to have to bring their big girls britches tomorrow."

Huntland 000 00- 0 1 2

Forrest 065 1X-12 6 0

Huntland: Addi Limbaugh 1-for-1

Forrest: Samantha King 2-for-3, Emma Stacey 1-for-2, Amanda Patterson 1-for-2, Kelsie Darnell 1-for-2, Zoe Long 1-for-1

RS: Stacey 2, Patterson 2, Jordan Yelensky 2, Ally Blanton 2, Jasmine Runk 2, Darnell, Long

BB: Runk 2, Stacey, Patterson, Yelensky, Ally Blanton

2B: King

RBI: Stacey 3, Patterson 3, King 3, Darnell

SB: Yelensky 2, Piper Elmore, Runk, Ally Blanton, Rickee Gayle Cater, Long

WP: Samantha King (5IP, 1H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 6K)

LP: Savannah Davis