Rebels take 1-0 series lead in dramatic fashion

Southern Sports & Travel

Central Private senior Hunter Fauntleroy had only one home run during the regular season but the captain of the top ranked Rebel baseball team sent a two out, 0-2 Austin Travis pitch over the left field wall last night in the bottom of the seventh inning to give Central Private a 2-0 victory and a 1-0 series lead over third ranked Brookhaven.

(Above) Central Private's Hunter Fauntleroy gets mauled following his walk-off homer

Fauntleroy’s heroics capped off a game that was a pitching duel throughout as Central Private junior Brennan Fucich and Brookhaven senior Austin Travis both put on superb performances.

Central Private put themselves in prime position to do some damage early on after Brad Miller drew a one out walk and Seth Stevens cranked a single to left field in the first inning but the Rebels would strand both Miller and Stevens as Brookhaven pitcher Austin Travis worked his way out of an early jam.

Brennan Fucich (Photo left) was on fire as the junior retired nine of the first ten Brookhaven hitters he faced but the right-hander ran into a bit of trouble in the top of the third inning.

After retiring the first two batters Fucich hit Wil Lucas with a pitch and saw Bubba Keene drill a single down the third base line to put Brookhaven in scoring position but Fucich forced a Landon Nettles ground out to Seth Stevens to end the inning.

Central Private threatened in their half of the fourth inning. Seth Stevens collected a lead-off single and a perfectly laid down sacrifice bunt from Hunter Wallace moved Stevens into scoring position but Austin Travis slammed the door as the senior forced a ground out to end the inning with the game still scoreless.

Travis would retire eleven of twelve Central Private batters before Ryan Bowman’s two out bunt single in the bottom of the seventh inning that set up Hunter Fauntleroy’s game winning walk-off home run.

“I was looking for a curve ball,” said Fauntleroy. “When it left the bat I thought I had gotten under it too much but it made it over.”

Fauntleroy was quick to issue credit to Brennan Fucich.

“If it wasn’t for Brennan Fucich and the great job he did I might not of had the opportunity,” said Fauntleroy.

Fucich pitched a complete game three hit shutout to improve to 6-2 on the year. The junior recorded five strikeouts and allowed just two walks.

His counterpart, Austin Travis (Photo right) took the loss while scattering five hits with four strikeouts and allowing two walks over seven innings of work.

Central Private head coach Jason Kinchen could only shake his head in relief following the dramatic win.

“It’s so important to win that first game of a three game series,” said Kinchen.

“Both pitchers did well tonight, Fucich was in control throughout and my hat is off to Travis of Brookhaven.”

“Hunter Fauntleroy is our team captain and he’s struggled just a bit so to see him come through like this is great to see,” said Kinchen.

Seth Stevens led Central Private with two singles, Ryan Young added a single as did Ryan Bowman.

Brookhaven’s Jacob Philipp had two singles for the Cougars and Bubba Keene had a single as well.

Central Private improves to 22-5 overall while Brookhaven falls to 17-11.

The series resumes on Friday at Brookhaven with a double-header if necessary.