Rhea County Pitcher J.P. Brannen in action against Cleveland on 3/14/23.(Photo:GaryBolden)

Eagles Win 5-3 Over Cleveland

3/14/23 Evensville, TN

Rhea County 5 Cleveland 3

Rhea County High School baseball opened their season with a home win against Cleveland High School on 3/14/23. Ian Barley had a big 2-Run Home Run to power the offense and J.P. Brannen pitched 6 innings of 5 hit ball to take the win with Jalen Fisher picking up the save as he registered the last 2 outs of the game. Brannon gave up 5 walks and 3 runs while striking out 8. The Eagles had 3-run third inning and 2-run 5th to account for all their runs. The Eagles had 6 hits and 3 walks on the night. Rex Pendergrass(1b), Jalen Fisher (1B,2B), Barley(HR/1B), Butler(1B) had hits for the Eagles. The Eagles scored 3 runs in the second inning with a hit batter, 2 walks and a home run. The fifth inning saw Eagles score 2 more runs with a walk, double, hit batter and single.

Cleveland 12 Rhea County 2

On Wednesday night, 3/15/23, the Eagles traveled to Cleveland and the team had a rough start to the night, giving up 8 runs in the second inning. They never recovered from dropping behind 9-0 and eventually lost 12-2 in 5 innings. The Eagles managed to push across 2 runs in the 4th inning for their only offense of the night. Rhea scored 2 runs in the inning with the help of a walk, 2 hit batters, passed ball and an error. Ian Barley and Fisher scored for the Eagles. Blake Rigsby had 3 hits on the night. Jalen Fisher had the other hit for the Eagles. All 4 hits were singles. Eagles also picked up a walk and hit batter on the night. Chayse Burns pitched all five innings to pick up the win for the Blue Raiders. The Eagles committed 7 errors. and Cleveland received 8 walks for the evening.

2023 RCHS Baseball Roster: