The Fannin County Rebels baseball team put on a show Wednesday, March 3, topping the Gilmer County Bobcats 13-3 for the season sweep. Bradley Holloway was a key part in the Rebels’ victory, as he had four of the Rebels’ 12 hits in the game. Brady Martin, Wyatt Rogers, Jason Pearson, Logan Hughes, Carter Mann, Chance Stacy, Jake Kuna and Tyler Fox collected one hit each as well.
Stacy started on the hill for the Rebels, striking out three Bobcats and only allowing one run through two and a third innings. Jordan Bennett and Caleb Postell came on in relief as the duo combined for five strike-outs through three and two third innings.
Fannin set the tone batting in the top of the first inning, as lead-off hitter Brady Martin singled to center field to get on base. Rogers singled to right field to advance Martin to second, and Bradley Holloway slugged a ball to center field, which ushered Martin home for a Rebel run. The Rebels had one out with runners on the corners when Hughes walked and Holloway was caught stealing. Rogers remained at third, and Hughes was at first to keep Rebel runners on first and third with two outs. Mann singled and brought Rogers home, and Chance Stacy singled to right field. With help from a Gilmer County error, Hughes crossed home plate to give Fannin three runs in the top of the first.
Gilmer County was able to score one run in the bottom of the first, before Stacy got two strike-outs, and Martin caught a ground out to get the Rebels off the field with a 3-1 lead.
After a scoreless second inning, the Rebels batted in the top of the third and began heating up again. Holloway singled to get the Rebels started, followed by a home-run bomb by Hughes to bring himself and Holloway home for two runs before the Bobcats could get off of the field. Fannin held Gilmer scoreless in the bottom of the third inning as the Rebels increased their lead 5-1.
Fannin found their groove in the top of the fourth inning as Fox walked. Martin hit a ground ball and reached with help from a Gilmer County error to put runners on first and second. Pearson then bunted to put Fox at third, Martin at second, and himself at first and load the bases for Fannin. Holloway then hit a big double to right field to bring Fox and Martin home. Pearson was able to score soon after, as Hughes knocked him in with a fly ball to cap the scoring for the fourth inning. Gilmer was able to score two runs in the bottom of the fourth as the Rebels held an 8-3 lead.
Kuna led off for the Rebels in the top of the fifth as he singled to left field. Pinch runner Jacob Preising came in for Kuna and was able to later steal home for the Rebels’ only run in the fifth inning. The Rebels held the Bobcats scoreless in the bottom of the fifth as they increased their lead 9-3.
The Rebels rattled off four runs in the top of the sixth to ultimately seal the game as Holloway, Hughes, Mann and Sawyer Moreland scored for Fannin. The Bobcats were held scoreless by Fannin’s tough defense to end the game and give Fannin a 13-3 victory and the season sweep.