Post Photos by Chris Siers Palmer Edwards delivers a first-inning strike against Forrest on Tuesday night.
Short stop Carston Williams comes up firing a throw to first after fielding a ball in the infield.
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
CHAPEL HILL — A season ago, the Shelbyville Central Golden Eagles put forth their best season in 30 years.
Wanting to take the program to the next step, the Eagles scheduled plenty of tough non-district opponents this season.
On Tuesday night, the Eagles faced another opponent fairly familiar with deep postseason runs.
Although the Eagles limited the Forrest Rockets’ effectiveness at the plate for five innings, eventually the home team’s bats exploded in a seven-run sixth inning as the Rockets handed the Eagles their first loss of the season, 9-1.
Palmer Edwards got the nod for the Eagles on the bump and pitched five strong innings for Shelbyville, giving up just two runs on two hits.
Rocket cleanup batter Kason Fuller smacked a RBI single in the bottom of the first inning and Forrest didn’t score another run until the fourth off another two-out RBI single, this time off the bat of Branham Haynes.
Things took a turn for the Rockets in the sixth as Forrest connected on three doubles and a single to break the game open with a seven-run inning.
The Eagles got one run back in the top of the seventh when Blake Bone ground into a fielder’s choice, but that single run was as close as Shelbyville would get.
Carston Williams’ fourth-inning double was Shelbyville’s biggest hit of the night.
Rocket starter Tyler Tackett went 6 1/3 innings and limited the Eagles to just one run on two hits, while striking out three batters.
The Eagles will see more quality opponents this weekend as Shelbyville takes part in the Grand Slam Tournament.
Shelbville will face Rockvale on Thursday, before taking on MTCS, Stewarts Creek and Oakland this weekend.
Shelbyville 000 000 1 — 1 3 1
Forrest 100 107 x — 9 6 2
Shelbyville: Carston Williams 1-for-3, Mason Shavers 1-for-2, Caden Duggin 1-for-1.
WP: Tackett
LP: Edwards
