Keaton Ray Wins Iron Eagle Award for Game
April 2019
Evensville, TN — Rhea County Baseball came from behind to take 4-2 lead and hold off Cookeville for a 4-3 win at home. The win evened the Eagles up with the Calaliers after losing 3-3 at Cookeville on Tuesday, March 26th.
Ross Pendergrass started on the mound for the Eagles and after a rough start, giving up two runs, Ross settled down and picked up the win with six innings of work. Pendergrass gave up four hits, four walks and struck out four batters on the night. Keaton Ray picked up the save with 1 inning of scoreless relief.
On offense, Keaton Ray led the way with two double and a single in three at bats, while scoring two runs. Austin Bracket and Dusty Smith also chipped in with doubles and Smith added a single. After giving up two runs in the top of first, the Eagles quicly erased the two run lead with two runs of their own in the bottom of the first inning.
Keaton Ray lead off with single, then Austin Brackett sliced a double downt he line before John Combs singled in Ray. Austin Brackett came home to score the second run of the inning.
Over the next five innings, Ross Pendergrass gave up three hits and one run to keep Cookeville at bay and in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Eagles one again scored two runs to run lead to 4-2 at that juncture. In the inning, Cade Cooke began the rally with a single and Keaton Ray followed with double, before John Combs and Dusty Smith hit singles to drive in two runs.
Cookeville got a run back in the sixth inning and that setup a relief appearance from Keaton Ray and Keaton got two outs before putting tying run on with walk but he came back with strike out to end the game and give the Eagles the 4-3 win.
Coach Rusty Ray said, “Ross Pendergrass and Keaton combined for a strong pitching performance. Keaton was bing at the plate with three hits.”
“Ross was a little hyped up early but settled down for a good performance.
On the week it was a losing week as Eagles dropped the Tuesday game to Cookeville 3-0 and the Friday game to Notre Dame 11-0. Rhea County will back in action on April 1st on the road against Warren County with 7 pm CST start time.
