Tigers Face Tuscola in Heartbreaker

The Tigers faced Tuscola at home on Tuesday night. The weather was warm and we got almost as much breeze from gusting winds as the swinging bats that Freshman Brian Summers enticed from the Warriors.

Summers set a personal best, striking out 10 batters while pitching 7 very impressive innings. To put into context for a freshman, in only his second start of the season, would be very difficult. Domination, would be a word I would use. Only walking two and giving up one bloop hit in gusting winds, Summers performed above his years of experience in high school baseball. The future is VERY bright for one of the JV captains.

For seven innings the Tiger defense helped Summers continue his gem. Salman Khan had an amazing over the shoulder diving catch in the swirling winds as he retreated from his second base position, lunging at the last second in shallow center field. In his first start of the season Jared Broom made two difficult catches in right field battling the ever present wind.
Myles Kelley drove in the lone tiger run on a well hit grounder that he nearly beat out at first.

With the score tied at ONE run apiece the JV team entered extra innings for the first time in this coaches tenure. While the eventual outcome wasn't what we wanted, the game was a great learning experience for all involved and we know that we will be much better prepared next time this situation presents itself.

Myles Kelley and C.G. Facer came into to relieve Summers in the top of the 8th. Both pitchers struggled to find the strike zone and the defense that was focused for seven innings began to feel the pressure of the game. Walks and errors in that final inning plated 10 runs for Tuscola, but I'm sure that each Tiger player understands that it was our fourth game of the season, though it was a difficult way to learn. Such is the way with freshman players. Always a learning process.

Coaches comments:
I'm extreme proud of the players for the seven innings we stayed focused and battled against a sophomore dominated team. We found our Ace, and know what it feels like to play in a close, tight game.
We need to eliminate the mental mistakes late in games and need to have players understand situations a little better and keep working hard. Losing focus and letting our emotions get the better of us in that final inning needs to change. We know that now.
At the plate I felt that we made some good contact and just couldn't find the holes in the defense of Tuscola. They made many plays from short stop. Just needed some hits to fall and we have a different game.
Please understand that this was only our FOURTH game of the season. Overall we have some great things that we can take away from in this heart breaker.
Go Tigers!