The DeKalb County Tigers baseball team hit the home field Tuesday, hosting their long-standing rival, the Livingston Academy Wildcats. DeKalb won their third-straight game with a score of 11-4.

In the top of the first inning the Wildcats jumped out to quick 1-0 lead when Kaleb Qualls scored on a Hunter McDonald single to center. An RBI double by Qualls in the second inning extended Livingston’s lead to 2-0. However, in the third inning DeKalb starter Steven Jennings would settle down on the mound, and the Tigers’ bats began to heat up, scoring six runs and chasing Wildcat starter Wyatt Heidrich from the game.

The Tigers’ offense kept pressure on Livingston the rest of the night, scoring three runs in the fourth inning and one run in the fifth and sixth innings respectively. With DeKalb in command, Livingston’s last chance came when the Wildcats added two runs in the fifth inning to cut the Tigers lead to 9-4, but Jennings’ ninth strike-out of the game ended the rally.

Left-hander Sam McMillen pitched the final two innings for the Tigers, giving up just one hit with three strike-outs and no walks. Starter Steven Jennings allowed four runs on five hits, giving up three walks while recording nine strike outs to post the win for the Tigers.

"This was not Steven’s best outing, but it was good enough to get a win," Head Coach Tracy Sloan said after the game. "Sam came in and pitched really well in the sixth inning," he added.

"With Aaron Patterson’s injury, freshmen Lee Randolph had to step in, and he did a great job for us tonight. We have to do all the little things right for us to have a chance to win. We are headed in the right direction," he explained.

The Tigers improved to 4-7 on the season with the win. DeKalb’s next home game is April 13 versus York. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m. Tiger Pride!