Tiger Baseball takes on Seguin and the weather
Trying to outwit the weather was a major Houdini trick but the Tigers overcame all as they took their series with Seguin in three. Predicted inclement weather called for some scheduling angst for the teams but all worked out. The 3-2 win in the first game gave the Tigers some leeway in series and just as important, if the weather had rained out the rest of the games the Tigers would advance by virtue of this win. DS will take on SA Southwest (29-3) for Area. Check with the school website for details.
The first game was held in Seguin. It was very close and went down to the wire. DS got on board first in the second when Nico Ramirez singled, stole second, was bunted to third and scored on a wild pitch. Seguin countered with a run in the third when a runner reached first on a strikeout. He would later score on an error to tie the game. The Tigers came back in the fourth. RJ Cabela gained first on a force out and after Ty Kaatz singled, both scored on Cameron O'Banan's double. A hit batter gave Seguin one last chance when a double scored him but Nathan Koch came in to strike out the last batter to preserve the win. The Tigers could not take advantage of their six walks during the game.
The second game was moved up a day (Thursday) to try and avoid the predicted bad weather on Friday. The all-weather field at DS prevents most rainout problems. The strategy was proper as over five inches fell Friday night but the result was not. However, lightning did delay the game and it was not completed until after eleven PM.
There is an old adage in baseball for each walk a run will score. Could not prove it wrong in the second game at DS. Tiger pitchers struggled all night in finding the plate and walked nine batters in the 9-2 loss. If that was not enough, the Tiger fielders committed five errors to contribute to the one-sided battle.
The struggles began from the git-go. The first two batters walked and were bunted up a base. Back-to-back doubles brought in three and the final run crossed on an error to make it a quick 4-0. Four more were added in the third. The first runner reached on an error and scored on another error. A walk was brought in with a double and the next run came on a wild pitch. Another error resulted in a run on a single. 8-0. The final Matador run came in the fifth. A leadoff single was followed by a walk, hit batter and another walk. O'Banan prevented further damage by striking out the next three. The Tigers roiled the water just a bit in the sixth when O'Banan was hit and Kaatz walked. Nick Gullo doubled in the pair.
It was turn about being fair play in the third and final game as the Tigers nailed down a berth in the Area round of play with a 9-1 win. The game was played at San Marcos. The difference in this game would be walks too. This time Seguin surrendered seven and a hit batter. Aiden Seligman, who had a stint in the second game, had a solid complete game on the mound.
A strong second inning made the Matadors path tough for the game. Cabela walked and O'Banan singled. Zach Tjelmeland brought in one with a single and Kaatz a pair with a double. Davenport singled in Kaatz and the Tigers were off and running. The fifth was productive with five runs as well. Davenport, Ramirez, Tyree and Cabela walked and later scored. O'Banan singled and scored on an error for the Tigers total. A single and an error provided Seguin with their only tally in the fourth.
Vs Seguin1: Hits: O'Banan 2 (2B), Ryan Davenport, Chris Tyree, Ramirez, Kaatz. Pitch: Gullo: 6.2IP, 2H, 2R, 1ER, 7K, 2W. Koch: .1IP, 1K.
Vs Seguin2: Hits: Brennan Frickel 2 (3B), Tyree, O'Banan 2B, Gullo 2B. Pitch: Zach Tjelmeland: .1IP, 2H, 4R, 3ER, 2W; Garrett Kane: 2IP, 1H, 3R, 1ER, 1K, 2W; Aiden Seligman: 1.2IP, 1H, 1R, 0ER, 3K, 1W; O'Banan: 1IP, 1H, 1R, 1ER, 3K, 2W; Tyree: 2IP, 1H, 6K, 2W.
Vs Seguin3: Hits: O'Banan 2, Tjelmeland 2, Kaatz 2B, Davenport, Ramirez. Pitch: Seligman: 7IP, 7H, 1R, 0ER, 4K.