Pitching Dominance & Small Ball Lead to Sweep

Fresh off a walkoff, Beau Becker would toe the slab for his 3rd start of the year. This start would by far be his best, as he would work deep into the 6th, and enough to pick up his first win of the year. His first three innings were a breeze, and very efficient. He would give up a run in the 4th, but bounce back quickly to get out of it, with only one run scoring. The 6th, would be an interesting one for Becker. With one out, and one runner, it looked like he was getting out of it with a weak grounder back to himself, but he would sail it to the outfield, and make it 2nd and 3rd with one out. With it looking like it was over for Becker with Guite coming to the mound, Becker seemed to talk his way into getting one more batter. Becker would not disappoint, as he would strike the batter out. This was enough for Guite, as he would now make the move to junior Chris Lenocker. Lenocker would get a ground out on the second pitch, to get out of the inning, and extinguish all possible danger. Lenocker would work a clean 7th, that was highlighted by a 5-4-3 double play to end the game. Becker moves to 1-0 on the year, and Lenocker gets his first save of the year. 

The offense proved that you do not just have to hit home runs to win, but small ball also plays a key role. The 5th was full of picture perfect bunts. Payton Rios would lead off with a single, then Grayson Caple, whom was making their Tiger debut, executed a perfect bunt to the point where he was able to reach. Freshman Payton Young, making his first collegiate start, would also bunt. Putting a ball in play proves to be effective, as Rios would come around to score on an error, and put two runners in scoring position. Justin Starkey would come to bat with two runners on and no out. Starkey, who had been struggling, disregarded all of that and attack early in the count, and lace a 2-run single into the left-center gap giving the Tigers a 3-1 lead. This ended up being the game winning hit!