The DeKalb County High School Tigers Baseball team claimed a win last week, despite a late inning surge by the Purple Tigers of Watertown. The game started off slow, but ended with some big hitting by both teams.

On Monday, April 12, the Tigers were on their home field as they hosted Watertown. Neither team could get things going in the first couple of innings, each going three and out. Then, in the bottom of the third inning, DeKalb’s bats suddenly came to life.

First up, Aiden Curtis singled off of a bunt to the pitcher, then Dexton Emberton bunted into fielder's choice as Curtis advanced to third. Next, Jordan Young was walked, loading the bases.

Next in line, Kolter Kilgore, hit a ground ball and reached on an error by second base, as Nathaniel Dace, courtesy running for Curtis, and Emberton scored. Then, Isaac Knowles homered on a line drive to center field, also sending Young and Kilgore home. By the end of the inning, the Tigers were up, 5-0.

DeKalb would strike again in the fourth inning, when Kilgore singled on a line drive to left field, driving Emberton across home plate. The Tigers held a 6-0 lead.

The Tigers looked to be in full control of the game until Watertown came up to bat at the top of the fifth. With bases loaded, a Purple Tiger batter knocked one out of the park, gaining a grand slam. Then, after a batter reached on a line drive to left field, a double ended with that runner scoring. Three batters later, another double resulted in Watertown tying the game. By the time DeKalb got off the field, it was a new game at 6-6.

DeKalb went three and out at their next at bat, but Watertown was also held to a three and out at the top of the sixth. The Tigers would break the stalemate in the sixth when Jacob Johnson hit a line drive and reached on an error by the shortstop, allowing Curtis to score.

The Purple Tigers would have one more turn at bat, but would be unable to add to the scoreboard, giving DeKalb a nail-biting victory, 7-6.

Isaac Knowles earned the victory on the pitcher's mound for the Tigers, surrendering zero runs on one hit over two and two-thirds innings, striking out three. Avery South started the game for DeKalb. The right-hander allowed six hits and six runs over four and a third innings, striking out three and walking one.

The Tigers tallied nine hits on the day, with Knowles, Emberton, and Kilgore each collecting two hits each.

The following day the Tigers found themselves in a pitcher’s duel as they traveled to Watertown. Both teams were strong on the mound, but DeKalb would get the win, 2-1.

The first score of the game didn’t come until the fourth inning, when a Watertown runner stole home off of a passed ball.

The Tigers would get on the board and take the lead at their next at bat, when Jacob Johnson singled on a ground ball to center field, bringing Dexton Emberton and Kolter Kilgore home. As it would turn out, that would be the last points of the game. DeKalb would take the victory, 2-1.

Patrick Cantrell earned the win going seven innings, allowing one run on four hits and striking out six. Jacob Johnson went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead DeKalb in hits.

The Tigers came away with a narrow win over Stone Memorial the following Thursday, winning 3-2, then fell to the same team on Saturday after a late game surge, taking a 13-7 loss.

In the Saturday game, Stone took a 1-0 lead at their first at bats, then the Tigers would match after Knowles scored off of an Avery South single.

DeKalb took the lead in the second inning, after Emberton scored off of a Kilgore single to right field, but Stone would take the lead next when they scored two runs of their own.

The Tigers took the lead back at the bottom of the fourth, when Johnson flew out to center fielder and Young scored after tagging up. Later, Young doubled on a fly ball to center field, bringing Kilgore, Knowles, and South home. DeKalb was up, 6-3.

They would add to their lead in the fifth inning, when Cantrell doubled on a line drive to left field, allowing Emberton to score. The Tigers held a 7-3 lead. It would be the last points of the game for DeKalb.

Stone memorial put six points on the board at the top of the sixth, then added four more in the seventh, taking a 13-7 win.