BELL BUCKLE — The rematch is set.
After meeting Cascade twice in the District 7-AA tournament a week ago, the Forrest Rockets will now face the Cascade Champions in the Region 4-AA championship on Saturday afternoon, following Friday night’s blowout, 16-1.
Luke Allen was in control on the mound for the Rockets, pitching five innings, giving up one run on three hits, while striking out four.
Kason Fuller pitched the final inning in relief and didn’t give up a hit and struck out one.
The game got off to an interesting start as East Nashville put the pressure on the Rockets in the top of the first inning.
Following a Tyler Baxter lead-off double, East doubled up the Rockets on a fly out to center field and a throw out at third base to cut down the lead off Rocket runner.
Forrest responded with back-to-back walks and Preston Gentry then scored after Carter Walk hit a fly ball to center field and scored on an error.
East responded and tied the game on a RBI double in the bottom of the first inning, but it was a five-run second frame that allowed the Rockets to blow the game open.
With two outs, Riley Durbin got the first run across the plate with a bases-loaded walk and Gentry then doubled on a line drive to left, scoring two.
A Kason Fuller single plated two more runs, bumping the Rockets’ lead to 6-1.
The following three innings went without much excitement as both teams were able to post zeroes on the scoreboard.
It was a monster sixth inning that saw 10 Rocket runs cross the plate that allowed Forrest to reach the 10-run rule limit.
Fuller and Gentry both had monster nights at the dish, each driving in four runs.
Gentry went 4-for-4 and was perfect at the plate, while Fuller went 2-for-3.
The win advances Forrest to the Region 4-AA championship game on Saturday afternoon for a grudge match against Cascade, who won the District 7-AA championship a week ago.
The winner of Saturday’s region title game automatically qualifies for the Class 2A state sectional round, with the loser having to play in the consolation bracket finals later in the evening in order to secure its spot in the sectional round.

Forrest 150 00(10) — 16 12 2
E. Nashville 100 000 — 1 3 4

Forrest: Tyler Baxter 3-for-4, Preston Gentry 4-for-4, Kason Fuller 2-for-3, Carter Walk 2-for-4, Austin Dillon 1-for-3.

WP: Allen
LP: Harney