The Bobcats made a twenty minute trip up Hwy 515 North on Thursday to face the Rebels of Fannin County.  In a one game series and the final game of the 2018 regular season, the Bobcats were looking to end on a high note.  To say it has been a tough season for the Bobcats would only touch the tip of the mountain that they have faced this season.  After missing McKinley Chadwick on the field for most of the season from Tommy John surgery, the Cats played their last 4 games without another valuable asset to the team.  Austin Daman injured his right arm while on the mound for the Bobcats.  Daman, a side arm right hander was throwing a breaking pitch and his elbow got out in front a little too soon.  This forced him to force his forearm and hand to try and catch up.  Daman will meet with renowned surgeons for MLB in Florida soon to discuss the plans for Tommy John surgery as well.  Coach Thurman’s Bobcats have battled hard all season and gave it it their all.  In several games, The Gilmer opponents have found a way in the late innings to muster one or two runs to defeat the Cats.  The Cats sitting at 8-22 could’ve very easily had a winning season with a record of 15-7 or better.  In baseball as well as other sports, it’s not over til’ it’s over and the Cats have played until the end in every ball game they have played.

The Scoring for the Cats was fast and unfortunately short lived.  The Cats put up 2 runs in top half of inning one and that would be their total for the game.  The Cats first run of the game came as a result of a Rebel error allowing lead off batter Evan Frady to reach first base and advanced to second on a fielders choice by Bowyer.  Designated hitter Austin Daman smashed a triple to plate Frady for the Cats followed by an RBI single from Senior McKinley Chadwick to plate Daman from third.  The Cats stayed at two for the remainder of the game.

Senior Brooks Rosser took the mound for the Bobcat defense and was touched up with six runs on four hits.  Rosser gave up 5 walks and had 8 strikeouts on the day.  Bradley Thomas, also a senior, came in as relief and allowed 1 run on 2 hits, no walks and 1 strikeout.  At the Plate, Tyler Woody, Evan Frady, Austin Daman and McKinley Chadwick had one hit each in the Bobcat loss.  Daman and Chadwick were both credited with an RBI in the game.  The Rebels put 7 runs in the board to take a 7-2 victory over the Cats.

The Bobcats say goodbye to what turned out to be a disappointing 2018 season and start preparing for 2019.  The Cats have 6 great athletes graduating this year but have a fine class of Junior varsity and upcoming freshman to pull from.  Best of luck for a turnaround in 2019.