The Fannin County Rebels battled the Lumpkin County Indians Monday, February 22, and fought hard in the game, but fell just short as the Indians escaped with a 8-5 win.
Logan Hughes started on the hill for the Rebels, pitching three innings and sitting down six batters. Jason Pearson came on in relief, throwing four innings, collecting five strike-outs.
Brady Martin and Bradley Holloway got two hits each in the game, while Wyatt Rogers, Pearson, and Chance Stacy got one each.
Lumpkin County batted in the top of the first inning and was able to cross home plate three times before Martin got a ground out, Rogers caught a pop-fly, and Hughes got a strike-out to get the Rebels off of the field.
Rogers was the first on base for the Rebels in the bottom of the first as he laid down a bunt and was able to reach with help from an Indian error. Pearson singled on a line drive to left field to put Rebel runners on the corners, and Holloway smoked a ball to center field to bring Rogers and Pearson home and slice into the Indian’s lead. Fannin could not cross home plate again before Lumpkin got off the field as they trailed the Indians 3-2 to start the second inning.
Lumpkin erupted for four runs in the top of the second to pad their lead. The Rebels were unable to score in the bottom of the second as the Indians led 7-2.
Lumpkin crossed home plate once more in the top of the third as Fannin was held scoreless to end the third innings with the Indians leading 8-2. After a scoreless fourth and fifth inning, the Rebels kept the Indians from reaching home plate in the top of the sixth as Fannin got off the field.
The Rebels rallied in the bottom of the sixth as Hughes was hit by a wild pitch to get on base. Stacy slugged a single to put Hughes on third, and Hughes later scored after Hayden Danner walked to cut into the Indian lead 8-3 at the end of the sixth inning.
Fannin kept Lumpkin County from crossing home plate in the top of the seventh as the Rebels got off the field.
Martin got the Rebels rolling with a big double to left field. Pearson was hit by a wild pitch to put runners on the corners, and Holloway ushered Martin and Pearson home with a hit to right field.
The rally was stopped short, however, as the Indians were able to get three outs and end the game with Lumpkin on top 8-5.