Tigers Come From Behind to Dominate Lions
Despite being down 7-0 in the first inning, the DeKalb County High School Tigers Baseball team clawed their way back for a come-from-behind win over Cannon County last week.
On Monday, April 5, the Tigers were on their home field as they faced off with the Cannon County Lions. At first it looked like it would be a long night for the home team.
The Lions would pile up seven runs at the top of the first inning, as DeKalb saw dropped balls, walks, and just seemed out of sort. It didn't get any better at the Tigers' first at bats. After a single by Kolter Kilgore, the team went one, two, and three to end the inning.
Cannon would add another run in the second inning. After two outs, a batter would reach after a dropped third strike, then a walk by pitcher Patrick Cantrell had runners at first and second. Next up, a single on a line drive to left fielder Nathaniel Dace resulted in a runner touching home. The Lions were up, 8-0.
The Tigers would finally get things going at their next at bats. After Caven Ponder went down swinging, Cantrell hit a ground ball and reaches on an error. Then, Konner Young singled on a hard ground ball to left field, as Cantrell advanced to second. Aiden Curtis was up next and was walked, loading the bases.
Dace would strike out looking, but then Kilgore singled on a ground ball to center field, as Cantrell and Young scored. Isaac Knowles was up next, and doubled on a ground ball to left field, bringing Curtis home. By the end of the second, DeKalb hat cut the lead, 7-3.
Grayson Hendrix would take over pitching duties for the Tigers at the top of the third, and a double play by Knowles helped shorten Cannon's hopes of adding to the scoreboard.
Neither team would add to the board until the bottom of the fourth inning. After both Dexton Emberton and Kilgore both reached on hard grounders and errors, Knowles doubled on a line drive to center field, driving both runners home. The Tigers had cut the lead, 8-5.
Cannon County was not about to just lay over however, as they added another run at the top of the fifth. After a batter flew out to center fielder Knowles, a runner scored after tagging up. The Tigers would end the inning, but the Lions were up, 9-5.
Things looked bleak for the Tigers as they entered the bottom of the fifth. Ponder would go out swinging, but then Cantrell reached on dropped 3rd strike. Next up, Young walked, then Curtis would go down swinging. With two outs nerves were on edge.
Emberton was up next and walked, loading the bases. As Kilgore came up to bat, Cantrell would score on a passed ball, then Kilgore would walk, once again loading the bases. Next, Knowles singled on a ground ball to shortstop, sending Young home. Jacob Johnson was walked next, bringing Emberton home. DeKalb had cut the lead, 9-8.
Avery South was next at bat, and with two outs, one ball and two strikes, he singled on a hard ground ball to center field. Both Kilgore and Knowles touched home base. At the end of the inning the Tigers had claimed the lead, 10-9.
That's where the score would stay through to the seventh inning. The Tigers would claim the hard-fought victory.
Grayson Hendrix took the win for DeKalb County Tigers Varsity. The righty surrendered one run on two hits over three innings, striking out one. Issac Knowles threw two innings in relief out of the bullpen. Knowles recorded the last six outs to earn the save for DeKalb. Patrick Cantrell started the game for DeKalb. The lefthander went two innings, allowing eight runs on three hits and striking out five.
The Tigers racked up 11 hits, with Knowles, Kilgore, and Young each racking up three hits to lead DeKalb.
The following day the two teams were back in action, this time on the Lions' home turf. This time DeKalb took control and never let go. Pitcher Avery South didn't allow a single run in the game, throwing a complete shutout.
DeKalb was also boosted by Kolter Kilgore who went 4-for-5 at the plate. Kilgore singled in the first, doubled in the second, singled in the fourth, and singled in the fifth.
The Tigers got things started in the second inning when Kilgore doubled on a line drive to center field, bringing Cantrell and Emberton home. Then, Knowles singled on a ground ball to center field, allowing Kilgore to score. Next up, Johnson singled on a hard ground ball to left field, sending Knowles home. DeKalb was up, 4-0.
DeKalb would score again at the top of the fourth when Johnson again singled on a hard ground ball to left field, driving Knowles across the plate. The Tigers' lead increased, 5-0.
The Tigers would add to their shutout in the fifth, when Kilgore singled on a line drive to left field allowing Emberton to score, then DeKalb would top things off after South doubled on a line drive to left field, as Young and Kilgore scored.
The game would go through seven inning, but the Tigers would hold off the Lions for the 8-0 shutout.
South claimed the win going seven innings, allowing zero runs on five hits, striking out four and walking zero.
The Tigers totaled 14 hits, with Kilgore going 4-for-5 at the plate to lead DeKalb.
Photos:
Tigers1 - Patrick Cantrell starts things off for the Tigers last week as they had a huge comeback win over Cannon County.
Tigers2 - Kolter Kilgore throws to Aiden Curtis for an easy out against Cannon County.
