Community survives tight district battle

Chris West's single started Community's seventh-inning rally that earned them a 1-0 win over Forrest in the District 9-A tournament. (T-G File Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Cody Pierce's hustle up the first-base line forced a high throw and prevented the third out from taking place, which allowed Austin Thurber to come home with the game-winning run in the top of the seventh to give Community a thrilling 1-0 victory over Forrest in the District 9-A tournament on Monday.

Chris West singled and Thurber came on as a courtesy runner to start the inning. With one down, Bronson Friedman walked and Sammy Bryant moved both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt before Pierce's hustle play.

West paired up with a solid defensive performance by the Vikings (10-13) for a three-hit shutout. The right-hander struck out six and issued only one walk over seven innings.

"It's big to get a first-round win," said Community coach Josh Burrahm, who noted it was also beneficial to advance after needing to use just one pitcher.

"Hopefully we can carry some of that momentum over to Cascade tomorrow."

Middle Tennessee Christian takes on Eagleville in the first game today at 2:30. The fifth-seeded Vikes advance to play top-seed Cascade at 5. The losers of those two games play afterwards at roughly 7:30.

The No. 4-seed Rockets had a chance to score in the bottom of the fourth after loading the bases with no outs. But, West hunkered down and struck the next batter out and enduced a 5-2-3 double play to get out of it unscathed.

Pierce totaled two singles to help give the Purple and Gold seven knocks altogether.

Zack Brewer was the losing pitcher.