Big Hit Show Not Enough For The Tigers

Dalen smacks his first of two home runs in Monday mornings' game.

The SLO Tigers 12U team hit 4 home runs, two of those by Dalen, in their third Cooperstown game Monday morning.  This game was the highest scoring game so far for the Tigers, and even though they out hit the Orland Park Illinois Warriors, they weren't able to get as many runs across the plate.  The Warriors took the game in six innings with a score of 15-11.

Joshua pitched at both the beginning and the ending of the game for the Tigers.

The Warriors took a big early lead, scoring 8 runs in the top of the first.  Dalen got the Tigers on the board with a home run in the bottom of the first inning.  The Warriors were able to silence the Tigers' bats in the second, but the Tigers came roaring back in the third!

Hear Those Tigers Roar!

Evan led off the bottom of the third, with a full count, 8-pitch at bat, he powered a line drive to center field to get on base.  He was followed by Jake who hammered his second pitch over the big green left field wall to bring the Tigers total runs to 3.  Next player at bat, Eddie, got on base with a line drive past short stop.  Tigers fans were not disappointed when Barry John came up and whacked another home run over the wall to bring the Tigers up to 5 runs.  But the fun didn't stop there.  Dalen was up next, and he had no problem hitting his second dinger of the game right over the left field wall.  There were still no outs in the bottom of the third.

Evan gets the Tigers rally started with his first of two hits in the third inning.

Jake celebrates his 2-run homer with Coach Sterling.

Barry John gets a hands up "Congratulations" from Bryan after his home run.

The next batter, Carson, was walked.  Followed by Jaden who singled to left. Drake was walked giving Joshua a bases loaded plate appearance which ended with a fly out to right field, but that was just the first out of the inning.  In the next at bat, with Bryan at the plate, Carson was able to score on a steal of home.  Bryan then singled, advancing Jaden to third and Drake to second.  At this point, the 10 man line-up was complete and Evan made his second plate appearance in the third inning resulting in another hit to center field, driving in Jaden.  Bryan was out at second on a fielder's choice but Drake was able to head home.  The inning ended as Evan tried to advance to second on the play.

Barry John pitched for a few innings on Monday morning.

With Barry John pitching, the Tigers allowed one home run in the 4th, but quickly got the next three batters out with quick fielding by Bryan, Eddie and Barry John.  In the bottom of the fourth the Tigers were only able to get one hit by Barry John, no runs scored.

In the top of the fifth, with Dalen pitching, the Warriors added one run to the board, but Dalen  quickly came through for all three outs.  He fielded a ground ball and threw to Jake at first for out number one.  Dalen followed that up with two strike outs to end the inning.

In the fifth inning, the Tigers were scoreless.  In the sixth Eddie scored on a two-out line drive by Dalen. But it wasn't enough and the the Warriors got the win.

The Tigers took a few hours to eat and have some free time with family or teammates this afternoon before heading back to the field for their 4:30 game.  That game will be streamed live on dreamsparktv.com, look for a signal from field #2.  Tigers will be the visiting team in this game, which means they'll be wearing the navy blue jerseys.

By the way, do you see that umpire behind the plate in the photos at the top of this post?  He's 92 years old!  He's still crouching down behind the plate calling balls and strikes for our boys in Cooperstown!  (We caught him flirting with one of our cute young grandmas after the game.)