Broncos Pound Raiders to Advance in Tournament

Allen Tokarz was inserted into the pitching rotation in mid April and after posting a 1-1-1 record something had to give.

In his biggest game of his career, Tokarz pitched six innings and his teammates pounded out 17 hits in 34 at bats enroute to an 8-4 victory over the North Forsyth Raiders. With the win, Brookwood will play traditionally powerful Lassiter High School, which won 8-6 over Peachtree Ridge in their deciding third game, on Wednesday in a twinbill. If necessary, Brookwood will then play Lassiter in Marietta on Thursday.

"They (my teammates) just picked me up so much," Tokarz said. "I was just doing it for the seniors. This is their last year so I am doing it for them. A little nerves at first but the coach calmed me down a little bit between innings and I got on a roll."

Brookwood jumped ahead in the top of the first inning, as they were the visiting team decided by losing a coin toss the day before. The Broncos got four hits in the inning but only got one run off starter Tyler Welch.

In the bottom of the first inning, North Forsyth leadoff hitter Tyler Slaton singled. He went to third as Tokarz tried to pick him off, but an errant throw allowed Slayton to move to third, and he scored on a sacrifice fly by Tyler Riddle.

Brookwood scored three in the third, all after two outs. Tremayne Toorie singled and scored on a triple that just missed going out of the park by Zach Rinehart. Nick Moore singled him home, and Michael Gouge singled in Moore for a 4-1 lead.

Brookwood padded the lead in the fifth to 6-2, as Moore singled but the ball went under centerfielder Slaton's legs and Moore rumbled all around the bases. North Forsyth scored two more but Brookwood's Lucas Sims arrived in the seventh to nail down the victory. 

"I love pitching ahead and at home," Tokarz said. "I am glad everyone else has confidence in me, and I am confident in myself."

Coach Rick Howard also commended the team for their effort despite committing four errors.

"He did great," said Howard of Tokarz. "He competes and our kids helped him out. Obviously any time you get some run support that helps you. That's what I like about him. I like his demeanor.

"Early he had a loss and a tie, but he competed in both those games against Dacula and Loganville. The kids love to play behind him. They love the way he goes out and competes."

North Forsyth was 4-25 while Brookwood was 17-34 in the game.

"We played really good defense," Howard said. "We had some errors but errors are going to happen. That's a part of the game."

Rinehart, Moore and Gouge all went 3-4, and North Forsyth's Toorie and Sims were 2-4.  Every spot in the batting order had at least one hit except the No. 9 spot. Brookwood is now 21-7-1. North Forsyth finishes their season at 19-10.

For Brookwood, the next game in the tournament is April 11 at Lassiter High School.