Post Photo by Rickey Clardy Wes Haley delivers a pitch for the Vikings.
By RICKEY CLARDY
Sports Writer
UNIONVILLE – From the very first pitch of the game, it was the Forrest Rockets’ night in their District 9-AA baseball contest against the Community Vikings Tuesday evening as Brennan Mealer drilled the opening pitch for a home run and the Rockets never looked back as Forrest defeated the Vikings 22-0.
The Rockets batted around three times and connected for 15 hits and used numerous walks and hit batsmen to gain the upper hand.
After Mealer’s round tripper, the Rockets had five more hits in the opening inning as Forrest sent 11 batters to the plate and scored six runs.
A double by Preston Gentry, along with RBI-singles by Carter Walk and Austin Dillon were the key blows as the Rockets took the early lead.
Forrest added a run in the second as singles by Tyler Baxter and Luke Allen set the stage for an RBI-single by Ryan Hill as the Rockets increased their lead to 7-0.
The Rockets blew the game open by scoring 10 runs in the third. Forrest only had three hits in the inning, but five Viking walks along with two hit batters and an error paved the way for Forrest to increase its advantage to 17-0.
The Vikings had a scoring threat in the bottom of the third, but could not plate a run.
With one out, a Thomas Bowling walk, a Rocket error, and a single by Josh Powers loaded the bases, but a fly out and ground out kept the Vikings off the scoreboard.
The Rockets added five runs in the fifth to complete the scoring for the night.
Allen and Kason Fuller pitched for the Rockets.
Wes Haley started for the Vikings with Isaiah Beech and Dylan Markum in relief.
Mealer, Hill, and Dillon each had three hits for the Rockets.
Powers and Maki Fleming accounted for the two Viking safeties.
Forrest 61(10) 05 —22 15 1
Community 000 00 — 0 2 3
Forrest: Brennan Mealer 3-for-3, Ryan Hill 3-for-4, Austin Dillon 3-for-4, Preston Gentry 2-for-3, Luke Allen 2-for-3, Carter Walk 1-for-3, Branham Haynes 1-for-1.
Community: Josh Powers 1-for-3, Maki Fleming 1-for-2.
WP: Allen.
LP: Haley.
