TigerScots opened league play with a 9-8 see-saw loss at Pilot Rock. TigerScots got on the board first with 2 runs in the top of the first with a single by Brian Duke and a passed ball. The Rockets eventually went up 5-3 but we continued to battle and chip away at the lead (helped out by some wildness on the part of Rocket pitching). Going into the sixth, with the TigerScots down 7-4, the young TigerScots scored 4 runs, helped by 5 Rocket walks and an 2 RBI double by Ryan Webb. However, we couldnt hold on to the 8-7 lead as the Rockets showed why they are one of the teams to beat in league, with good coaching by Kevin Nice, by scoring 2 runs in the bottom of the sixth and shutting the door on a TigerScot comeback in the 7th with a couple great plays by the Rocket shortstop Tanner Mitchell.
Overall, Brain Duke threw a great ball game and the ever improving TigerScot lineup showed grit and determination against one of the best starters in the league, Travis Copeland (a little off his game with command). We hurt ourselves a couple times with walks and errors, along with mental errors, that in the end became the difference in the score. I am proud of the way the boys competed when down and never gave up. If we continue to do the little things, big things can happen.
Grade: Overall: C+, B- (A coach is never satisfied and even though we had a rough season last year and competed well this year, I expect to do that day in and day out.)
Pitching (C+, too many free passes, but also a great effort)
Defense: (C-, errors, positioning, communication,)
Offense: (C, Tough pitcher, yet too many strike outs...12 in all, but had some good at bats and key hits)