Franklin County's Jacob Hardison connects on a pitch in this file photo from earlier in the season. Hardison had three hits, including a home run, five RBIs and two runs scored for the Rebels Tuesday in their 13-3 win against Giles County High School.
Franklin County's Jacob Hardison connects on a pitch in this file photo from earlier in the season. Hardison had three hits, including a home run, five RBIs and two runs scored for the Rebels Tuesday in their 13-3 win against Giles County High School.
The Franklin County Rebels beat the Giles County Bobcats 13-3 at home Tuesday for their ninth win of the season.
The Rebels scored at least one run in every inning to overcome an early deficit and ultimately blow out the Bobcats for a district victory.
The Bobcats got off to a fast start offensively as they did all of their scoring for the day in the top of the first to put the Rebels in a 3-0 hole.
The Rebels began to make up ground immediately by scoring a run in the top of the first as Braden Jackson reached base on an error, advanced to second on a wild pitch, tagged up to third on a Casen Gilliam fly out and scored on another wild pitch to make it a 3-1 game.
The Rebels then tied the game in the bottom of the second as Jacob Hardison hit an RBI double and later scored off of a fielder’s choice from Taylor Austin to put the score at 3-3 early.
The Rebels began to take control of the game in the bottom of the third as Graysen McNeese hit a go-ahead RBI single and Hardison followed with a three-run home run to left field to give Franklin County a 7-3 advantage.
Another four runs crossed the plate for the Rebels in the bottom of the fourth with Talon Abraham scoring on a sacrifice fly from Gilliam, Sam Vincent hitting an RBI triple and McNeese and Hardison both adding RBI singles to push the lead up to 11-3.
The Rebels got the last two runs they needed to trigger the mercy rule in the bottom of the fifth with Vincent contributing an RBI single and McNeese hitting into an RBI fielder’s choice to clinch the win by 10.
Josiah Cullins pitched a complete game for the Rebels with four strikeouts, five hits, one walk and three runs allowed in the victory.
With the win, the Rebels improved to 9-11 on the season and 5-1 in district play.
They will next play Thursday at home against Central Magnet High School. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
