On Saturday afternoon at Willow Hill, Fannett-Metal(13-6) and Rockwood (17-7) battled into extra innings with a trip to the District Five Single A Championship Game in the line.  

With the game tied 2-2 in the top of the 9th inning, the Rockets scored a pair of runs with two outs and then held the Tigers in the bottom of the inning to secure the 4-2 hard fought victory.  

Tigers starting pitcher Landon Arnold and Rockets starter David Bruning locked horns in a classic pitchers duel.  Both starting pitchers worked into the 8th inning before reaching their pitch limit and giving way to relievers.  

The Rockets scored an unearned run in the bottom of the first to go up 1-0.   The Tigers loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning but a strikeout ended the threat.  

The Tigers tied the game 1-1 in the third inning when Landon Arnold singled and eventually scored on an Ayden Ryder RBI.  

Both teams scored a run in the sixth inning to remain tied 2-2.  A lead off walk, sac bunt and RBI single by Nathan Show scored the Rockets run.  The Tigers scored when Tucker Seibert drew a two walk, moved to second on a passed ball and scored on Broc Hostler’s RBI single.  

In the pivotal 9th inning, Tiger’s reliever Wade Appleby struck out the first batter.  Two consecutive ground ball singles put runners at first and second.  Appleby then got another strikeout.  With two outs, the Rockets executed a key double steal to put runners at second and third.  The next batter hit a short ground ball in which the Tigers had no play and the go ahead run scored.  A single to right gave the Rockets an insurance run to go up 4-2.  The Rocket’s reliever Nathan Show closed out the game in the bottom of the 9th inning to secure the victory.  

Tiger’s starting pitcher Landon Arnold held the Rockets to only 4 hits on the day.  He gave up two runs with one earned.  He had 11 strikeouts and issued only two walks in another superb pitching performance.   “Landon threw a heckuva game today.  He gave us everything he had today just like he’s done his entire career”, Coffman said.  

Rockets starter David Bruning was also impressive for the Rockets.  He gave up two runs, scattered seven hits, issued  three walks and had 10 strikeouts.  

The Tigers will graduate seven seniors from this year’s team that finished as ICC South Co-Champions.   This is the first ICC baseball title in school history.  Seniors; Landon Arnold, Wade Appleby, Jake Coffman, Broc Hostler, Adam Hammond, Ayden Ryder, and Tucker Seibert. “ These boys have a lot to be proud of.  They were competitive every night winning (29) games the past two seasons and won a share of the title this season.  They played baseball the right way, and they have set a high standard at F-M for all those who follow.  I am so proud of all these boys, and I just enjoyed being around these guys everyday”, Coach Coffman said.