Tiger Thrash Phoenix To Win Series

Single, out, single, walk, grand slam, single, single, single, out, single, single, double, single, out. This was the order of events in the rubber match of the Tigers MSC opening series against Cumberland (TN). Joshua Duarte collected his first of four hits via an infield single to start the game. Hank Schineller would single, to give the Tigers runners on 1st and 2nd with one out. Payton Rios would then walk to load the bases for Jarrett Chapman. Chapman would get the Tigers a lead early, as he would crush a grand slam for his third homer of the season. That would not be all that the Tigers would score, as Grayson Caple and Jacob VonThaden would single to put runners on. Jacob Dezarn would then single home both, making it 6-0. The Tigers would tack on four more runs, after RBI singles from Duarte and Dismang, and a 2-run single from Payton Rios to make it 10-0.

The Tigers would score 2 more runs in the next two frames, to extend the lead to 12-0. In the 4th, the Tigers would capitalize on some Phoenix miscues. Dismang would collect his second hit of the day to plate the 13th run of the game. The Tigers would score again on an error to make it 14-0. 

Looking to respond to CU's run in the 4th, the Tigers would put up another crooked number, all with two outs. A double from Dezarn, a walk to Austin Vincent put Tigers in a position to do damage. Who else but Josh Duarte to be up to the plate, already 3 for 3 today, Duarte would hit a triple into the right center gap to plate both runners, making it 16-1. Hank Schineller would homer in the inning too, making it 19-1, after another rbi single from Dismang. They would get their final 4 runs in the 7th, giving them a lead at 23-1. 

Chad Baker was on the bump in this one. Looking to move his record to 3-3 on the year, Baker would get a load of run support before even stepping foot on the rubber. He would work a quick first, after stranding a runner. The same would be said for the second and third innings, as he would only allow one hit over those innings. The Phoenix would get on the board in the 4th, after the lead off batter reached on a walk, and scored on a sac-fly, making it 14-1. Baker would come back in the 5th, and work a 1-2-3 inning. That would be all for Baker on this day, as he did not have his best stuff, but would be good enough to go 5 innings, 3 hits, 1 run, and 1 strikeout. His record now moves to 3-3 on the year. 

He would toss it over to lefty Mason Mortimer. The first two batters would reach, but Mortimer would induce a taylormade ground ball, which would generate a much needed double play. Mortimer would get out of it unscathed. Drew Haskell would get the eventual final inning. Haskell would let one score, but that would be all, as the Tigers pick up the series win, and move to 2-1 in MSC play.