After a disappointing regular season in which the DeKalb County High baseball team finished 9-5 in District 8-AA, and with an overall mark of 14-15, the Tigers looked to rebound in the district tournament in Murfreesboro hosted by the regular season champions Central Magnet Tigers.
By virtue of having some very good teams on their schedule this season Head Coach Tracy Slone looked for his team to be ready for this moment. "Maybe we could have had more wins if we had a softer schedule, but we fell that we need to be prepared for the district tournament," said Slone.
However, the Tigers would be without the services of senior catcher Ty Curtis due to an injury suffered April 27. "Losing Ty was huge for our team, because he is such a leader for us, but junior Josh Hembree came in and did very well," Slone continued.
In the double-elimination tournament the Tiger’s first opponent was the Cannon County Lions. In a game in which DeKalb struggled to drop in hits, totally just five in 25 plate appearances, the Tigers did manage to keep the game close but ultimately lost 4-3.
Freshman starting pitcher John Maynard lasted two and two-thirds innings giving up three runs on four hits with four strike-outs while allowing three walks to record the loss for the Tigers.
Josh Hembree tagged a double while Aaron Patterson, Steven Jennings and Luke Boss each recorded a single in the Tiger’s first-round loss.
Finding themselves in the loser’s bracket, DeKalb took on a tough Macon County team in a thrilling 4-3, last at bat, victory that eliminated Macon. DeKalb’s bats continued to struggle going 4-23 at the plate. However, Sam McMillen saved the day pitching a complete game scattering nine hits, giving up three runs, while striking out three and surrendering one walk to get the win for DeKalb.
Christian Pruitt, Nick Parsley and Jacob Washer had a single while Steven Jennings blasted a double for DeKalb.
In a rematch of game one, DeKalb looked to avenge the 4-3 loss to the Cannon County Lions in the Tigers’ biggest offensive outburst, the Lions fell victim to DeKalb in the 8-7 extra inning thriller.
Tagging 11 hits on 32 plate appearances, the Tigers’ Sam McMillen scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth on a Cannon County error that sent the Lions home early to plan for next season.
Relief pitcher Jacob Washer came in for starter John Maynard, who recorded only one out, and pitched very well, lasting eight and two-thirds innings to record the win for the Tigers.
Game four pitted DeKalb versus Central Magnet who is ranked second in the state.
Once again DeKalb’s offense struggled to hit the baseball. With just four hits on 24 plate appearances DeKalb lost a close game 2-0. Central blasted two solo homeruns, one in the first inning and the other came in the sixth for the only runs in the game.
Starter Cason Oakley pitched six innings giving up two runs on eight hits and striking out four while walking two to record the loss for DeKalb.
Luke Boss, Steven Jennings, Jacob Washer and Sam McMillen each singled for the Tigers.
The Smithville Review would like to congratulate the Tigers and say a final farewell to Luke Boss, Jacob Washer, Cason Oakley, Nick Parsley, Aaron Patterson and Ty Curtis. Thanks for the memories.
Tiger pride!
