Rebels top Giles County in walk-off finish
S
The Franklin County Rebels beat the Giles County Bobcats 2-1 in eight innings at home Tuesday for their 10th win of the season.
The Rebels weren’t able to hold on to a narrow lead in the seventh inning of the district contest, but they regrouped and secured a walk-off victory in extra innings on a sacrifice fly from Taylor Austin.
The Rebels loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the third as Braden Jackson drew a walk, Connor Parker singled and Avery Jackson reached base on an error, but the next three batters were retired on a strikeout, a lineout and a flyout, respectively, to negate the scoring threat.
A walk and a single with one out in the top of the fourth put runners at the corners for the Bobcats, but pitcher Avery Jackson struck out the next two batters to keep the game tied.
The Rebels ultimately took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth as Layton Jones hit a two-out triple and was driven home by an RBI single from Ayden Hodosi after Gus Gardner was intentionally walked.
The Bobcats opened the top of the seventh with three straight singles, and a fielder’s-choice groundout then allowed the lead runner to score to tie the game at 1-1. Pitcher Cameron Denton retired the next two batters on popouts to strand the potential go-ahead run at third base.
The Rebels were retired in order in the bottom of the seventh as the game then advanced to extra innings.
Gardner led off the bottom of the eighth with a double, Hodosi reached base due to catcher’s interference, and Gavin McBee drew a walk to load the bases with nobody out.
Austin then hit a fly ball to left field with Gardner racing home after the ball was caught to score the game-winning run.
Avery Jackson pitched six shutout innings for the Rebels with seven strikeouts, five hits and three walks allowed for the day.
Denton pitched two innings in relief with two strikeouts, three hits and one run allowed.
With the win, the Rebels improved to 10-7 on the season and 3-1 in district play.
They will next play Thursday at Smyrna High School. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

