SHELBYVILLE — Shelby County’s baseball team suffered a string of tough losses to close out April, falling in three consecutive matchups to Eastern and Collins despite strong performances from several Rocket standouts.
On April 26, the Rockets built a four-run lead over Eastern but couldn’t hold on, falling 7-6 after a six-run rally by the visiting team in the seventh inning.
Shelby County out-hit Eastern 10-9 and got a standout performance from Kaleb Oskins, who tallied four hits on the day. Caleb Cook added a run-scoring single in the third, and Giaonni Hunter chipped in an RBI single during a two-run second inning.
Shelby held a 5-1 advantage heading into the final frame, but Eastern strung together six hits to mount the comeback.
Jackson Moses started on the mound for Shelby and pitched six innings, allowing six runs on eight hits while striking out six. Vinny Atchison led the Rockets with two RBI, while Cook and Foster Whisman both collected multiple hits. Whisman was also steady on defense, leading the team with six fielding chances without an error.
Just four days later on April 30, the Rockets found themselves in another close contest, this time against county rival Collins. In a tight, low-scoring battle, Collins edged Shelby 2-1 after capitalizing on a dropped third strike that allowed the go-ahead run to score in the sixth inning.
Whisman pitched a complete game for Shelby, striking out seven and allowing just one earned run on six hits. Offensively, Whisman and Jack Stewart each recorded a hit, and Oskins drove in the team’s lone run after a Collins error tied the game in the fourth.
Despite the loss, the Rockets played clean defensively, committing no errors for the second straight game.
Shelby County faced Collins again on May 1 and came up short once more, falling 9-5 despite an impressive showing from Isaiah Bolin. The junior went 3-for-4 with a single, a double, and another base hit in the seventh.
Whisman also stayed hot at the plate, matching Bolin with three hits, while Oskins and Isaac Voight each turned in multi-hit efforts.
The Rockets opened the 30th District game with early momentum, scoring in the first on an RBI single from Whisman. But Collins surged in the fourth inning, posting six runs on five hits, highlighted by a three-run home run that shifted the game’s momentum.
Bolin started on the mound for Shelby and took the loss after going three and one-third innings and allowing seven runs on six hits. Shelby finished with 12 hits and again played error-free defense, including turning a double play.
Despite the three-game skid, the Rockets showed bright spots at the plate and in the field, with consistent contributions from Bolin, Whisman, and Oskins. As district post-season play approaches, Shelby will look to tighten its pitching in late innings and turn solid individual efforts into team victories.