The T.C. Roberson Rams (27-4) opened their title defense with a 3-0 shutout win over the Ashley Screaming Falcons (26-5) Friday night in the 4A Baseball State Championship. The Rams struck early and held off Ashley to take a 1-0 series lead in their title defense.

The Rams got things rolling early in the bottom of the first with an RBI double from Caden Davidson that played a runner to make it 1-0. Cole Barnes then added on with a sacrifice fly and an RBI single from JT Smith put T.C Roberson up 3-0. Screaming Eagles pitcher Cole Barnes found himself in a loaded bases jam but managed to get out of it to end the first inning.

Both sides went scoreless in the second as we headed to the third with Ashley still trying to find the scoreboard. They couldn’t get anything going as the Rams came back up to bat. The Rams put runners on the base paths for a chance to add on, but the Screaming Eagles shut down any chance of that. T.C Roberson led 3-0 heading into the fourth.

The defense of the Screaming Eagles continued to play a big part in keeping the game in range by keeping the Rams either off the bases or stranded on the bases as we head into the top of the sixth with the Screaming Eagles looking to break the scoring drought.

After holding Ashley scoreless in the sixth and not being able to plate anything in the bottom of the sixth the Rams headed to the seventh looking to close things out. The Rams survived a scare and closed things out for the win.

Micah Simpson had a productive day on the mound and took the win for the Rams going six and 1/3 innings giving up zero runs on five hits while striking out three and walking one. CJ Wallace came in relief for Simpson in the seventh and recorded the last two outs.

For the Screaming Falcons Barnes took the loss going six innings giving up three runs on seven hits striking out five and walking zero.

The Rams will look to go for the series sweep tomorrow at 2 p.m. and claim back-to-back state championships. As for the Screaming Eagles they will look to keep their championship hopes alive and force a decisive game three.

Source: highschoolot.com