DeKalb Tiger 10U Win Championship
By Chris Tramel
The DeKalb County Tigers 10U team, in the 9-10 year-old age group, came away with the Tennessee Youth Baseball Association state championship last Sunday evening, winning three games as the number one seed. In the final game the Tigers faced off with the Storm Chasers, but the game was all about DeKalb.
The Tigers dominated from the beginning of the first inning. Preston Taylor threw the heat for DeKalb, striking out the first batter, then walking the next. The runner then successfully stole second base, but was caught by catcher Anthony Moore, throwing to third baseman Keegan Taylor, trying to steal third. Taylor then threw some more strikes and it was the Tigers' turn at bat.
Reed Midgett doubled on a line drive to the left field, then advanced to third on wild pitch. Another wild pitch had Midgett at home plate, scoring the first run of the game.
Preston Taylor then singled on a line drive to center field, and advanced to third on error by the Storm Chasers' pitcher. Anthony Moore then flies out to center field, but Taylor scored after tagging up.
Next up, Eli Simons singled on a ground ball to third, then was able to steal his way to second. Another wild pitch had Simon on third base. In the meantime, Keegan Taylor walked to first.
With Porter Hancock up to bat, Taylor stole second base, then Simon scored on steal of home. Taylor stole third base, before Hancock singled on a line drive to left field. Taylor was home for another point on the board.
Drew Cook was up to bat, when Hancock stole second base, then advanced to third on wild pitch. Hancock would add another run with a steal of home. Cook was struck out, but the Tigers were up 5-0.
Preston Taylor continued throwing the heat in the second, with one single, two strikeouts, then a walk. A runner managed to steal his way to third base, but Taylor ended his efforts with a third strikeout.
At the bottom of the second inning, the Tigers were not done with their scoring. Carson Davis was walked, then as Midgett is up to bat, Davis stole second. Midgett then hit a double on a ground ball to shortstop, with Davis touching home.
Elliot Barnes then grounded out to the Storm Chasers' pitcher, but Midgett scored. It would be the last points of the inning. Preston Taylor grounded out to first base, but Moore hit a single on a fly to second base. He would then steal second, but Simon flies out to second. The Tigers were up 7-0.
Midgett took over pitching duties in the third inning, and the Storm Chasers singled on the first at bat. Midgett then struck out the next two batters, but the Storm Chasers are able to steal their way to third base. With two outs, the next batter singled to third base, allowing the Storm Chasers first point of the game.
The next at bat doubled on a fly ball to center fielder Carson Davis, but was out advancing to home. The Tigers kept the lead, 7-1.
As the Tigers came up to bat, Keegan Taylor tripled on a fly ball to center field. With Hancock up to bat, Taylor scored the final points of the game on error by the third baseman. Hancock then flies out to center field. Cook was walked, but was later caught trying to steal third. Midgett was then struck out to end the inning. The Tigers were up 8-1.
Midgett kept up the heat in the fourth, walking one but striking out the next three.
In the bottom of the fourth Barnes singled on a ground ball to second, then Preston Taylor singled on a ground ball to center field, before time on the game was called.
Preston Taylor was the winning pitcher. He lasted two innings, allowing one hit and zero runs, while striking out five. Reed Midgett threw two innings in relief out of the bullpen.
The Tigers racked up nine hits in the game, with Midgett and P. Taylor each managed two hits, while the Tigers didn't commit a single error in the field.
Photos:
Tigers1 - The team celebrated their big when the best way boys can, by throwing dirt in the air.
Tigers2 - The Tigers 10U team took home the Tennessee Youth Baseball Association state championship last Sunday evening.
