Duarte and Starkey Come Up Big Again

Fresh off of a big win Tuesday at IU-Southeast, the Tigers would roll down to Henderson, TN to clash with Mid-South Conference foe, #22 Freed-Hardeman. Last year, the Tigers also went to FHU, and swept the Lions in their three game set, and would look to follow suit this year. Heading into game one of the series, it would be a clash of ace's underneath the lights. First pitch was set for 6 pm.

The first three innings went by in a blur, as we were scoreless through the first third of the game. In the fourth, the Tigers offense would score the opener solely due to Joshua Duarte. Duarte doubled down the line, then promptly stole third, and advanced home on a throwing error from the catcher. 

Trevor Baker was on the mound for the Tigers, as he cruised through the first 4 and 2/3 innings.  Baker would load the bases, after he hit three straight batters. This would come to haunt him, as an infield single would see FHU plate two runs, and take a 2-1 lead. Baker would come back out for the 6th, and set down the side in order. In Baker's six innings of work, he would only give up three hits and two runs, while striking out 8 batters. Julian Huerta would relieve Baker in the 7th, and in Baker fashion, set down FHU in order. He would too work a clean 8th, to move it to the 9th, where he gave the Tigers a chance to come back.

Comeback is exactly what the Tigers would do, and to little to no surprise, it would be Joshua Duarte to even this one up. Down 1-2 in the count, Duarte would crush a ball over the right center fence to even this one up. The Tigers would not be done here, as a walk and single, gave the Tigers an opportunity to take the lead. Justin Starkey would pinch hit for the Tigers, and prove to be the right move. Starkey would pummel his first homer of the year to left, and give the Tigers a 5-2 lead. 

Julian Huerta would be back on the mound for the 9th, and would split two singles with an out, before he was lifted for closer Bryson Huwar. Howard would come in, and absolutely shut the door. He would get two strikeouts, and close this game out for the Tigers. Huerta gets the win, where he now moves to 4-1 on the year, and Huwar picks up his 5th save of the year.