Jacob Blenkinsopp was the starting pitcher and pitched 2 and 2/3 innings (2 outs of the third inning). Bryant Wales came in to finish out the inning. The Red Devil second baseman bobbled a hard hit ball with two outs but quickly picked it up and threw it to first to end a dismal third inning in which Tanner scored seven runs. Elkmont only managed two runs as the Rattlers scored twelve runs at the end of three.
The Red Devils rallied in the fourth. Kesler hit a double and scored on a Cole Glass single. Ben Ferguson got on base on a error by the Tanner left fielder and Glass took advantage of the situation and added another run. Ferguson stole second. Jared Bailey hit a single and Ben ran to third, rounded the base and headed home. It looked like the Devils would add another run as Ferguson slid under the catcher and was clearly safe. However, the ump called him out in a very questionable call as the Tanner catcher caught the ball high and never tagged the Elkmont player to end the rally. Bryant Wales pitched well and retired the Rattlers quickly with only one run scored to finish the fourth inning.
The heart of the Elkmont lineup stepped up to the plate to start the fifth. Skyler Gant hit for a single, Daniel Logan walked and Michael Haney added a single to load the bases. Gant and Logan both scored on wild pitches. Justin Kesler flew out to the center field but gained a RBI (run batted in) as Haney tagged up and scored from third. Cole Glass ended the inning as he barely missed beating the throw from third base to first for the third out. The score stood with Tanner 13, Elkmont 7 as Wales took the mound for the inning, getting three outs from four batters.
Jared Bailey took the mound for the sixth inning in his first pitching appearance this year. The Elkmont Red Devils weren't able to score again in the sixth or seventh inning, making the score 16 - 7 for the Rattlers.
The Red Devils record slips to 2 - 4 and will look to play better against the West Limestone Wildcats on Monday as they play a double header in Salem. The varsity team has one more week to find their game before area play starts March 19 with Clements.
Reporter: Hill Spirit
