Tigers Shine In Final Tournament Game

    The SLO Tigers continued their passionate and excellent performance on the field Wednesday, when they were dropped out of the tournament in a one run loss to the Lenox Rebels Black.  The 43 seeded Rebels played their first game of the tournament against the Tigers who had already won two games in the day.  The Rebels appeared to be shocked by the 89 seeded Tigers who played strong and took the early lead in the game when Jake put the first run on the board with a solo home run over the center field wall.  The Tigers held the rebels scoreless through the bottom of the third.  In the top of the fourth, Drake pounded another home run over the wall giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead.  This woke up the Rebels who answered with two home runs in the bottom of the fourth, taking the lead with 3 runs scored in that inning.  

Jake hits one over the wall to get the first run on the board in the 3rd inning.

    In the top of the fifth with two outs, Jaden got on base with a single that got past short stop.  He advanced to second on a pass ball while Barry John was at bat.  Barry John then singled to right field, bringing Jaden home and tying the score.  The Rebels took the lead back in the bottom of the fifth with two more runs.

    The Tigers roared in the top of the sixth, giving the Rebels a scare.  Tigers were down 3-5 and had two outs when Joshua got on base with a walk.  He was able to advance to second with defensive indifference.  Eddie then hit a line drive single to right field, advancing Joshua to third and bringing Bryan up to the plate.  Eddie was able to steal second on a pitch to Bryan.  Bryan then hammered a single to right field, driving in Joshua and Eddie and putting the game in a 5-5 tie.  The Rebels were nervous but were able to clinch the game with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 6th.

Barry John went 3 for 3 at the plate.

    In all, the Tigers outhit the Rebels with 12 hits versus 11 for the Rebels. Barry John went a perfect 3-3  at the plate.  He singled in the first, third, and fifth innings. Barry John also made an amazing diving catch in right field that left him laying on the grass for a few moments.  He was able to get up and continue play, even taking the mound later in the game and striking out a Rebel.  All the Tigers continued their excellent defensive play from the earlier games.  Bryan dominated short stop once again, catching 4 line drives in the game.

    The Tigers were knocked out of the tournament with this loss, but the team, coaches and parents were thrilled with the performance on Wednesday.  The boys played nearly flawless baseball.  Coaches and parents of the opposing teams paid big compliments to our boys.  They praised both their baseball skills and their great sportsmanship.  The SLO Tigers have earned a reputation as some of the kindest boys at the Cooperstown Dreams Park this week. They have shined as baseball players and good ambassadors for San Luis Obispo County.