Rebels Earn State Tournament Bid with Game Three Win

McKENZIE (May 15) — McKenzie High School hosted Moore County Thursday for a decisive Game Three in the Class 1A Baseball Sectional Series. The Rebels earned a 5-3 win and, with it, a trip to the TSSAA Class 1A Baseball State Championship in Murfreesboro.

McKenzie begins the eight-team, double-elimination state tournament Tuesday at 4 p.m. against Whitwell at Wilson Central High School in Lebanon.

In Thursday's win, the Rebels struck first with three runs in the bottom of the second inning. They added another in the fourth. Moore County got on the board with a pair in the top of the sixth. McKenzie plated one in the home half, then stopped a Raider rally short at just one run in the top of the seventh.

Rebel Xander Johnsey was 1-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs. Cole Brown went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Cooper Davidson was 2-for-2 with a walk. Avery Brown went 1-for-1 with a walk and three runs scored. Tate Surber was 1-for-3 with a double and a walk. Lelan Gordon went 1-for-3 with a double. Ace Brown was 1-for-3.

Fletcher Holt earned the complete-game win for McKenzie, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits while striking out six and walking two.