Tigers move into the race

The district race is tightening up for the Tigers as they took two more well-earned victories to make the move as the first round is being completed. First the Tigers outlasted the slugfest with Lehman and it took extra innings to come back for the 6-5 win over Seguin.

District scheduling calls for some Saturday games along the way. If the past Saturday at Lehman is any indication offensive teams loved it. If one did not know better the result seemed to be a football game as the Tigers outlasted the Lobos 20-12. Among the 17 Tiger hits were 11 extra-base hits. The Lobos were no less effective with 12 hits.

It certainly was not a good day for pitchers longevity. Lehman opened with 5 and it was matched by DS in the second and third while Lobos scored twice in second. Both teams scored three in the fourth. The Tigers continued to score with seven in the final three as Lehman lagged behind.

A lot of padded stats in this game. Nico Ruedas pounded out four hits including three doubles. Mason Ashlock followed with 3 (two doubles) and Aiden Perry two doubles. Brandon Arvidson had two HR's. Parker Cooke had two hits, while Ayden Dennis had a triple, Sam Agajanian a homerun and Austin Van Burkleo and Matthew Schindler singles.

Six pitchers were needed to get the game done. Ruedas could only get one out before giving up 5 runs and being relieved. Price Donatiello finished the inning. Burkleo lasted two innings. Ryland Mahoney tossed 2.2, Travis Mora .1 and Cody Daniels the final inning.

Someone needs to convince Brandon Arvidson the first inning is really the second inning. He has had some very rough first innings before settling down and pitching great ball. The Seguin game was no different. He gave up two walks and four straight hits for four runs before righting the ship and shutting out the team for 5.1 innings.

Meanwhile the Tigers would start to scratch and claw their way back. Two in the fourth and single runs in the sixth and seventh brought the game to a tie. Donatiello finished the sixth and Mora the seventh. Mahoney pitched the eighth giving up a run. It was back to work for DS. Ruedas doubled and scored on three consecutive walks to tie it up. Luke Hudson stepped to the plate to play the part of the hero with a single. Game over.

Perry led the 9-hit attack with 3. Agajanian had two. The other hits were provided by Ashlock and Theo Howard.