Rebels, Raiders Split to Force Decisive Game Three

McKENZIE (May 14) — McKenzie High School hosted Moore County Wednesday for the first two games of the Class 1A Baseball Sectional Series, a best-of-three set to determine who advances to the TSSAA Class 1A Baseball State Championship. McKenzie took Game One, 6-3, and Moore County won Game Two, 5-3, forcing a decisive Game Three the following day.

Game One: McKenzie Rebels 6, Moore County Raiders 3

McKenzie struck first with four runs in the bottom of the first frame. Moore County got on the board with a run in the top of the third, but the Rebels answered with a run in the home half. The Raiders plated a pair in the fifth inning, and McKenzie tacked on one in the sixth.

Rebel Fletcher Holt was 1-for-4 with a three-run home run. Tate Surber went 2-for-3 with an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base. Craegen Travis was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Xander Johnsey went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Cooper Davidson was 2-for-2. Cole Brown went 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Tate Surber earned the complete-game victory for McKenzie, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits while striking out ten and walking three.

Game Two: Raiders 5, Rebels 3

Moore County took an early lead with three runs in the bottom of the second inning and added another in the fourth. McKenzie got on the board with one in the top of the fourth, but the Raiders answered in kind in the home half. The Rebels rallied in the sixth, but managed just two runs and left the bases loaded.

Rebel Craegen Travis was 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Cole Brown went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Cooper Davidson was 1-for-2 with a walk. Tate Surber went 1-for-4 with a run scored.

Craegen Travis got the start for McKenzie, allowing five earned runs on three hits while striking out four and walking two in three innings. Xander Johnsey pitched the final three frames, allowing no runs on one hit while striking out one and walking none.