Rebels Stay Alive with Win Over Bradford, 8-5

LEBANON (May 22) — The McKenzie Rebels bounced back from a loss earlier in the day Thursday to defeat Bradford 8-5 and advance to the semifinal round of the TSSAA Class 1A Baseball State Championship at Wilson Central High School.

McKenzie struck first with three runs in the top of the second inning. Bradford got on the board with one in the home half, then tied it with a pair in the third. The Rebels pulled ahead for good with four runs in the fourth. The Red Devils scored a pair in the bottom half, but McKenzie tacked on an insurance run in the sixth.

Rebel Xander Johnsey was 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Avery Brown went 1-for-4 with a triple, two RBIs and a run scored. Fletcher Holt was 2-for-2 with a double and a walk. Cole Brown went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Ace Brown was 1-for-3 with a double and a walk. Lelan Gordon went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Craegen Travis was 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Cooper Davidson went 1-for-4.

Craegen Travis got the start for McKenzie, allowing no runs on two hits and a walk in an inning and two-thirds. Fletcher Holt pitched an inning and a third of relief, allowing five earned runs on six hits while striking out two and walking two. Cooper Davidson threw the final four frames, allowing no runs on three hits while striking out three and walking two.