Like most people who go to Florida’s Emerald Coast, it’s slow going when you get up in the morning,
That was the case for the Todd County Central Rebels who fell behind by four runs and could never catch up to Henry County in an 8-5 loss Monday morning in the Fort Walton Beach Bash.
Monday morning’s game was actually played at South Walton High School, which is actually 30 miles from Fort Walton Beach.
Regardless, the Rebels never led in the game although they showed signs of rallying when they found themselves down by three runs in each of the final three innings.
Henry County, from Kentucky’s 8th Region and two-time defending 31st District champions, struck first when a three-base Rebel error and a sacrifice fly gave the Wildcats a quick 1-0 lead.
Todd County Central answered in the third inning when Jacob Brandon reached on a fielder’s choice, advanced to second base on a ground out, and scored on a Jase Hampton single.
The teams remained tied until the fifth inning when Henry County hung the game’s first crooked number on the scoreboard. Dean Carder followed a walk and single with a double down the third base line to plate a pair of runs. A walk, error, and single followed as did two more Henry County runs.
Todd Central answered with a two-out rally in the home half of the fifth. Preston Rager and Brandon both walked, and Gavyn Nolan followed with a two-run double to left to cut the Rebel deficit to 5-3.
Henry County added a run in the sixth when a two-out walk came around to score following a stolen base and a single by Jaxon Scriber.
Todd got two more runs back to cut the Henry County lead to 6-5. Tanner Farmer doubled home Nate Reding and Devin Schutt.
Henry County added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh thanks to two walks, a stolen base, and an error.
Todd County Central loaded the bases with no one out in the bottom of the seventh, but Parker Bowles bore down and struck out three straight Rebels to end the threat and the game.
The Rebels outhit Henry County 8-6, but five errors in the field and eight walks issued proved to be too much to overcome.
Farmer and Nolan both finished with two hits and two RBIs to pace the Rebel offense. Zack Robinson added a double.
Brandon pitched the first four innings and struck out seven while allowing just three hits. Four of the five runs he allowed were earned.
Bowles pitched a scoreless two innings of relief to get the win for Henry County, who improved to 6-1.
Todd County Central dropped to 7-3. The Rebels are scheduled to play Fort Walton Beach High School Tuesday night but the impending rain forecast for the gulf coast Tuesday will keep them watching the sky and hoping to play.
