Lookout Valley’s Lance Rorex took the mound in the fifth inning and took over.
Monterey’s batters attempted a comeback, but Rorex halted the threat and the Yellow Jackets won 10-7 in their Class A state sectional game Friday night at Lookout Valley. That put the Jackets (34-5) in the state final eight at Murfreeboro for the second year in a row.
Monterey (22-5) ended its season with a sectional loss to Lookout Valley for the second consecutive season. The score was 11-6 last year.
“It feels great and it’s a great relief to go back,” said Rorex, who earned the pitching win and went 2-for-4 and scored a run. “We get another chance to get the gold.”
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Staff Photo by Dan Henry-- Lookout Valley's Brandon O'Dell pitches against Monterey High School during the first inning of play Friday afternoon. Lookout Valley High School played Monterey High School at home during the Class A baseball sectional.
Monterey second baseman Trent McCormick hit two-run home runs off Lookout Valley starting pitcher Brandon O’Dell in the third and fourth innings, sparking the Wildcats to eight hits and their seven runs in the two innings. In the third, Monterey center fielder T.C. Coggsdale drove in Josh Cloyd with a two-out single with the bases loaded.
Cloyd’s double in the fourth brought home Josh Wilson and pitcher Cody Cantrell. But Rorex halted the Wildcats’ comeback bid, retiring eight straight Monterey batters in the final three innings, including four strikeouts.
“They swing the bat real well,” Rorex said. “I was just anxious to get out there and throw strikes and help the team as much as I could.”
The Yellow Jackets’ attack started right away. They scored five runs in the bottom of the first. Rorex and right fielder Tyler Crowley scored on a Corey Reagen double to left field. Ian McDade’s double drove in Reagen and third baseman Cody Brooks.
Crowley scored again in the second inning on a wild pitch from Cantrell, and Jon Barry drove in two runs in the bottom of the third.
Lookout Valley designated hitter Daniel Patrick scored the final run on an error by Wildcats first baseman Andrew Phillips. Reagen led the Yellow Jackets with three RBIs and a run scored.
“Monterey hits the ball well, but Lance was lights out for us or close to it,” Lookout Valley coach David Dinger said. “He’s a special guy and he does a lot for us. These guys have been working for this since the first day of school, and it’s a great reward. They’ve earned it.”
* Friendship Christian 13, Arts & Sciences 3: At Lebanon, the Commanders ended the Patriots’ bid for a state-tournament berth.
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