SHAWN DIGIANFELICE
Sports Writer
The Community Vikings showed a lot of grit in their first district series of the year against Forrest, despite not being able to pull out a victory in the two- game series.
Forrest- 5 Community- 2
Community struggled to generate offense Monday night, falling 5-2 to Forrest despite a pair of hits from leadoff hitter Josh Powers.
The Vikings managed just three hits on the night against a strong outing from Forrest’s Reid Gentry, who struck out 12 and kept Community off balance across seven innings.
Still, Community showed flashes, particularly at the top of the lineup, where Powers went 2-for-3 and scored one of the team’s two runs.
Forrest seized control early, plating runs in the first inning to put Community in a quick hole. The Vikings were unable to fully recover, though they continued to compete throughout and found ways to apply pressure late.
Tyler Wood accounted for Community’s lone RBI, finishing 1-for-3 at the plate. Isaiah Beech added a run scored.
On the mound, Wes Haley took the loss but battled through five innings, allowing six hits and five runs (four earned) while striking out four. Beech provided a bright spot in relief, tossing two scoreless innings and striking out four while allowing just one hit.
Forrest- 9 Community- 2
Community couldn’t capitalize on an early spark and watched Forrest break things open late in a 9-2 loss on Tuesday.
The Vikings struck first in the top of the first inning when Dylan Markum delivered a triple, putting Community on the board early 2-0 until Forrest cut the deficit to 2-1 in the fourth inning.
Community led 2-1 going to the fifth inning, but Forrest seized control by scoring four runs in the fifth and sixth inning.
Tyler Wood got the start on the mound for the Vikings, working four innings while allowing five runs on five hits, striking out two and walking one.
Logan Reed worked two innings, giving up two hits and four unearned runs, while striking out two and walking two.
Forrest starter Houston Matlock proved tough to solve, tossing six innings while allowing just three hits and two runs. He struck out 13 and walked three to earn the win.
At the plate, Markum led the way for Community, driving in both runs and finishing 1-for-2 on the day. Wes Haley and Brody Armstrong each added a hit.
Community has a bye week in district action. They will host Moore County on Monday before participating in the Mid-South Classic to finish the week.
Community’s Dylan Markum had a two-run triple in a 9-2 loss to Forrest on Tuesday.