Franklin County's Casen Gilliam makes a pickoff throw to first base in this file photo from earlier in the season. Gilliam pitched seven innings with two strikeouts, six hits, three walks and two runs allowed for the Rebels Thursday in their 9-3 loss to Tullahoma High School.
Franklin County's Casen Gilliam makes a pickoff throw to first base in this file photo from earlier in the season. Gilliam pitched seven innings with two strikeouts, six hits, three walks and two runs allowed for the Rebels Thursday in their 9-3 loss to Tullahoma High School.
The Franklin County Rebels lost to the Tullahoma Wildcats 9-3 in 13 innings at home Thursday for their 15th loss of the season.
The Rebels kept pace with the regular-season district champions for 12 innings, but the Wildcats broke through for seven runs in the top of the 13th to end the lengthy stalemate.
The Wildcats were the first team on the board with a one-out RBI single in the top of the third giving them an early 1-0 advantage.
The Rebels loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the fourth as Brayden Henley and Gus Gardner singled and Graysen McNeese drew a walk, but a double got the Wildcats out of the inning unscathed.
The Wildcats added another run to their tally in the top of the fifth with a two-out RBI single to grow the deficit to 2-0.
The Rebels were able to answer back in the bottom of the fifth as a two-out error on a ball hit by Sam Vincent brought Taylor Austin and Casen Gilliam around to score to tie the game at 2-2.
The Wildcats were able to put a runner on second base with one out in the top of the seventh, but a popout and a fly out got pitcher Gilliam out of the inning with the game still tied.
In the first extra frame, Gilliam and Vincent hit consecutive singles to start the bottom of the eighth, but two strikeouts and a fly out kept either runner from advancing.
Caden Brown drew a leadoff walk to start the bottom of the ninth and was bunted over to second base as the potential winning run on a sacrifice by Austin. However, the next two batters struck out to strand Brown in scoring position.
After a few more scoreless frames on both sides, the Wildcats had four of their first five batters in the top of the 13th reach base on two hits and two errors to score two runs and break the tie.
The Wildcats went on to score an additional five runs in the frame as they put the Rebels in a deep hole late in the contest.
The Rebels loaded the bases in the bottom of the 13th as Gardner drew a walk and McNeese and Brown both singled, and a fielder’s-choice groundball from Austin allowed Gardner to race home, but that would be it for Franklin County’s offense as they lost by six.
Gilliam pitched the first seven innings for the Rebels with two strikeouts, six hits, three walks and two runs allowed.
Josiah Cullins pitched the next 5 1-3 innings with four strikeouts, six hits and four unearned runs allowed.
Gardner pitched to two batters in relief with one out recorded, one walk issued and one run allowed. Keylen Partin pitched to three batters after Gardner with two hits, one walk and two runs allowed.
Noah Knapper recorded the final defensive out for Franklin County out of the bullpen.
With the loss, the Rebels moved to 9-15 on the season and 5-5 in district play.
They will next play Friday at Coffee County Central High School. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
