The TigerScots beat Elgin on Monday 6-5 in a come from behind eight inning victory. The long spring break showed as the TigerScots struck out 6 times in the first 4 innings. However, we finally broke out the bats in the 5th, having only 1 strike out the rest of the way and numerous hits.
Brian Duke started on the hill and threw 6 solid innings giving up only 3 runs, of which 0 were earned. He also eliminated 5 Huskies via the "K." Gabe Quaempts came in relief in the 7th and picked up the 3rd TigerScot victory (3-1).
We didnt get the bats out until the fifth inning and trailing 3-2 in the 7th with 2 outs nobody on, Aaron Speed laced a double down the left field line and advanced to third on the throw. Casey Riddle stepped to the plate and blooped a ball that fell in front of the left fielder to tie the game and pushed it into extra innings. The Huskies scored 2 in the top of the 8th and the night was coming on quickly. The bottom of the inning, the TIgerScots had Drew Greenwalt at first who reached on a walked, 2 outs and down 5-3: however, once again, we refused to go quietly into the night. Gabe Quaempts got a bunt single followed by a walk by RJ Rudolph. Greenwalt scored on a passed ball and erant throw from the catcher to put the TigerScots down by 1. Aaron Speed stepped to the plate and with a 3-2 count, 2 outs, down by 1 ripped a ball up the middle scoring Quaempts tieing the game. After a couple walks, Brain Duke walked and brought home Rudolph for the game winning run.
Thoughts: Way too many extra pitches and opportunities to the opponent. Whether it was a walk, hit batter, error, or what not this will come back to haunt us in the long run. Even if a pitcher averages 3 pitches per batter, having 4 errors, with 5 walks, 4 hit batters, that is an extra 39 pitches!!! That is a lot of opportunities to hurt us and taxes a pitchers arm. However, I am very please with the fact we didnt lay down when things went bad. We created our own opportunities and put pressure on the defense to make plays. We also are making the routine plays (much better than in years past) and the being young bodes well for the future of TigerScot baseball.
I am especially proud of the support that parents, the community, and the school has displayed as the concessions, introductions, and game music is such an added bonus! Thank you.
Offensive: C (too many strikeouts and lost at bats---swinging at bad pitches) Good job of competing with 2 strikes late in the game and making things happen.
Pitching: B- (Too many walks and Hit Batters) Around the plate all day and only 2 Earned runs
Defensive: C- (4 errors and communication) 3 unearned runs