CHAPEL HILL — A four-run second inning was ultimately the difference for Forrest on Tuesday night as the Rockets finished a sweep of Cascade in a key District 7-AA matchup.
The Rockets got 6 1/3 strong innings from starter Luke Allen and the Rockets held off a late-game rally to take the 7-3 win.
After putting the first two batters on base in the second inning, Forrest made the Champs pay after Austin Dillon drew a walk to load the bases.
Carter Walk was then hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score the first run of the game for the Rockets.
With the bases still loaded and with two outs, Tyler Baxter smacked a three RBI double to center field to clear the bases and break the game open.
Cascade eventually got one back in the top of the fourth inning, much in the same fashion the Rockets scored.
With two outs, Conner Melson crushed a double to left field, scoring Walker Craig from second base.
But as quickly as Cascade scored, the Rockets answered in the bottom of the second with two more to pad its lead.
Dillon and Walk drew back-to-back walks to lead off the inning and Preston Gentry drove in both runs on a single to right for the 6-1 lead.
Gentry again was the culprit for adding to the Rockets’ lead in the bottom of the fifth when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
With a 7-1 lead in hand, Cascade made a late-game rally and plated a pair of runs in the top of the seventh when Chance Brown ground into a RBI fielder’s choice and Noah McGeary added a RBI single.
Baxter and Gentry were RBI machines on Tuesday night against the Champs and each drove in three runs.
Kason Fuller worked the final 2/3 inning in relief for the Rockets and gave up one hit, but didn’t allow a run to cross the plate.
Forrest will have a busy weekend ahead in the Viking Classic.

Cascade 000 100 2 — 3 6 0
Forrest 040 210 x — 7 5 0

Forrest: Tyler Baxter 1-for-3, Preston Gentry 1-for-2, Riley Durbin 1-for-4 Kason Fuller 1-for-4, Branham Haynes 1-for-3.
WP: Allen
LP: Sheffield

Forrest 6, Cascade 3
BELL BUCKLE — Rocket ace Riley Durbin pitched a complete game and got timely hitting from throughout the Rocket lineup as Forrest took Game 1 against Cascade on Monday night, 6-3.
Ryan Meglis doubled in the top of the first inning, scoring Kason Fuller, who walked to lead off the inning.
Cascade responded with a single run in the bottom of the first with a Sawyer Lovvorn homer, but the lead was short-lived as Kason Fuller connected on a RBI fielder’s choice in the top of the third.
Both teams got a pair of runs in the sixth inning and this time, Durbin helped his own cause with a RBI single to center field, scoring Carter Walk.
Kason Fuller then safely reached base on a dropped third strike, allowing Tyler Baxter to score from third, giving Forrest a 4-1.
Cascade made things interesting after an RBI double and a Rocket error plated two Champion runs in the bottom of the inning.
Still, Forrest wasn’t done and added to its lead with two more in the seventh.
Baxter drew a bases-loaded walk and Durbin again came through with a RBI single.
Durbin went the distance for the Rockets and struck out nine Champion batters, while giving up three runs on seven hits, only two of which were earned.
He also went 2-for-3 with two RBIs to his credit as well.

Forrest 011 002 2 — 6 6 1
Cascade 010 002 0 — 3 7 0

Forrest: Riley Durbin 2-for-3, Brennan Mealer 1-for-2, Ryan Meglis 2-for-4, Carter Walk 1-for-2.
WP:Durbin
LP: Craig