Rebels Split Doubleheader With Armuchee

Fannin County and Armuchee battled through a doubleheader Friday, with the teams splitting a pair of games that featured plenty of offense early and a tight pitchers’ duel to close the day.

The opener saw the Rebels break out the bats in a big way, rolling to a 14–4 win over the Indians behind a dominant pitching performance from Casen Bailey and a 13-hit offensive attack.

Armuchee struck first in the opening inning when Grayson Isham doubled to drive in a run, but Fannin County answered immediately. The Rebels erupted for five runs in the bottom of the first inning, highlighted by a three-run double from Karson Brown that quickly flipped the momentum.

Fannin added to the lead in the third inning with another offensive surge, scoring seven runs on five hits. Drew Barfield delivered a three-run double during the rally, while Brown singled home a run, Rylin Davis drove in another after being hit by a pitch, Casen Bailey walked with the bases loaded, and Nate O’Neal added an RBI single.

Bailey controlled the game on the mound, striking out 10 batters over five innings while allowing just three hits and four runs.

The Rebels piled up 13 hits in the win. O’Neal led the way with a perfect 3-for-3 performance at the plate, while Brown drove in four runs from the eighth spot in the lineup. Cayden Reece also collected two hits.

Game two turned into a completely different type of contest, with both teams leaning on strong pitching in a tight battle that Armuchee ultimately won 3–1.

The Indians got on the board in the first inning when Reese Pasley hit a sacrifice fly to score a run, and they added another in the second inning after Grayson Isham worked a walk that led to a run.

Fannin County starter Nate O’Neal kept the Rebels within reach, striking out seven over 3⅓ innings while allowing two runs on four hits. Hudson York provided strong relief, tossing 3⅔ innings and allowing just one unearned run.

Offense was harder to come by for the Rebels in the second game, as Heath Bradburn, York, and Eli Queen each recorded a hit. York drove in Fannin’s lone run.

Despite the close loss in the finale, the Rebels’ dominant offensive showing in the opener helped them earn a split on the day. Fannin County will return to action Tuesday when they host Coosa.