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Close Game for Major League Champs
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Anthony Moore led the Tigers from the mound in a close game against the Cardinals

DeKalb County Youth baseball was on the field last week, with some big games in Major League action. Teams were set to decide the overall league champion, with tournament play ready to begin.

On Tuesday, May 25, Rice’s Tigers faced off with the First Bank Cardinals in a game that would decide the overall champion. It was a tight game that wouldn’t be decided until the final inning.

The Tigers would go three and out at their first time at bat, but the Cardinals would waste no time putting runs on the board. Keegan Taylor would get on with a walk, then a single by Reed Midgett had runners at first and second. Then a hit by Andrew Cathey drove home two runs, but Cathey would be tagged out at third. Anderson Fortner would single and later tag home plate, putting the Cardinals up, 3-0 at the end of the first.

The Tigers would get things going in the second, with a single by Anthony Moore, then a double by Carson Davis. A single by Drew Cook would send the runs home, cutting First Bank’s lead, 3-2.

The action wouldn’t pick back up until the bottom of the third, when Fortner would double and eventually make his way home. The Cardinals were up 4-2 by the end of three.

If First Bank thought they had a comfortable lead, the Tigers proved them wrong at their next at bats. First, Ben Driver got on with a walk, then a single by Porter Hancock had runners at first and second. A hit by Moore, and an error by second base, had two runners cross home, then a single by Carson Davis, and a double by Cook, had two more points on the board. The Tigers took the lead, 6-4.

The Cardinals would go three and out to end the fourth, and the Tigers would not put any points on the board at the top of the fifth. But, the Cardinals came back with a vengeance at their next turn at the plate. Taylor reached with a single, then Midgett hit a double. After that, Cathey tripled, tying the game, then he would touch the plate himself, regaining the lead for First Bank. The Cardinals were back on top, 7-6.

The Tigers would not go away however, and at the top of the sixth they would again make the game even. Hancock would get on after being hit by a pitch, and eventually find his way home, again tying the game.

It was all on the Cardinals as they played offense at the bottom of the sixth. With one out on the board, Abraham Oliva walked, then Lance Duke got on after being hit by a pitch. Next, Peyton Fuller walked loading the bases. Taylor was up next, and a single sent Oliva home, winning the game. First Bank took the 7-6 victory and was the regular season champion.

Reed Midgett was the winning pitcher, while Anthony Moore took the loss for the Tigers.

The league tournament, scheduled for the following Friday was postponed due to rain. It is scheduled for Saturday, June 5.