Forest cruises past Gainesville

While they were sloppy at times on Tuesday evening, the hiatus didn’t matter, as the Wildcats blew the game wide open in the fifth inning with five runs to run away with an 11-2 win over Gainesville (5-17). Forest improves to 16-8 on the season with one game left before the district tournament next week.

“A little sluggish to start, but it’s been a weird week I think to start with the rain yesterday, rain all day today, but yeah, I mean, not bad, though,” Forest coach Jed Yancey said. “They know not to ask if we’re going to play or not. So, the plan was to play all day – for them at least.”

Forest jumped out in front early with a three-run first inning. A single, a walk and a couple of stolen bases put to runners in scoring position to set up a two-RBI double from junior Tyler Thomas. The junior then scored on a Hurricanes error to make it 3-0.

The Wildcats tallied another run in the bottom of the second to take a commanding 4-0 lead, but Gainesville made it a game again with two runs in the top of the third. However, Forest made it a three-run game again in the bottom of the fourth.

Forest’s offense then exploded in the bottom of the fifth. The Wildcats loaded the bases and then freshman Kaden Smith drew a walk to score another run. A wild pitch plated another run and put two runners in scoring position. Junior Aaron Stelogeannis put the game out of reach with a two-RBI single to make it 9-2.

After a passed ball let another runner from third touch home plate to make it 10-2, Gainesville finally escaped the inning. The Wildcats brought home another run in the bottom of the sixth to complete the blowout.

“Okay night swinging the bats, really bad on the bases, we’ve got a lot to do there,” Yancey said. “But yeah, we’ll clean that up.”