CHAPEL HILL — The Forrest Rockets proved why they are the No. 1 seed in the District 7-AA tournament with Friday night’s tournament opener.
The Rockets capitalized on a nine-run fourth inning and beat No. 4 Grundy County in five innings, 12-1.
The Yellow Jackets managed just three hits against the Rockets and did the bulk of their damage on the scoreboard in the second.
A hit batter, and two base hits allowed Grundy County to drive in its only run of the game.
Aside from the second inning, the only other baserunner the Yellow Jackets managed off Rocket starter Ashton Grubbs was a single in the first frame.
Grubbs turned in a perfect final three innings, including four strikeouts.
Forrest grabbed the lead in the first inning when Cam Vaughn, who reached via walk, scored on a ground out by Kason Fuller.
Following the Grundy County answer to tie the game at one apiece in the second, Forrest plated two more runs in the bottom of the third when Riley Durbin mashed a two RBI double to deep left field.
In the Rockets’ monster fourth, Forrest was the beneficiary of three walks, six singles, and two doubles that put the game well out of reach in favor of the top-ranked Rockets.
Durbin knocked in three runs on a 2-for-3 night, which included a double.
Senior Kain Moses, Preston Gentry, Clayton Clark and Fuller each drove in two runs as well.
Grubbs took the win on the bump for the Rockets, pitching all five innings and allowing just one run on three hits, while striking out six.
Forrest will host Community on Saturday night at 5 p.m.
Community also won its tournament opener, defeating Cascade 6-2.
Forrest owns a 3-0 record against the Vikings in 2022.

Grundy Co. 010 00 — 1 3 1
Forrest 102 9x — 12 9 0

Forrest: Riley Durbin 2-for-3, Kason Fuller 1-for-3, Braden Bowyer 1-for-2, Kain Moses 1-for-1, Carter Walk 1-for-3, Preston Gentry 2-for-3, Clayton Clark 1-for-2.
2B: Durbin, Clark, Moses
WP: Grubbs
LP: Campbell