Shakopee worked six Farmington pitchers for 16 walks on the way to a 15-4 Missota Conference victory in the season opener played Thursday, April 8, at Tiger Field.
"We knew pitching was going to be a question coming in," Tiger coach Mike Winters said, "but we'll get it figured out.
"I still feel there's potential with this club. We hit the ball and played defense as well as can be expected for this early in the season."
The Sabers erupted for five runs in their first-at bat off Farmington starter Jonathan Ellis and then continued to run up the score against five relievers--Andy Morris, Cole Luskey, Dayne Eich, Spencer Merle and Ty Vincent. Shakopee pounded 13 hits to go with its 16 walks.
The visitors led 10-0 after three-and-a-half innings before the home team got on the board with a three-spot in the bottom of the fourth.
Nathan Graham had two of Farmington's seven hits and also scored a run. Quinn Eden and John Stibal each drove in a run for the Tigers. Vincent, Jake Baskerville and Sebren accounted for the other Farmington in the losing effort.
The Tigers will try to bounce back from the loss in a busy three-game second week. Tuesday they travel to Richfield for a date with Holy Angels before returning home the following day for a non-conference game with Edina. Thursday they jump back into league play at Northfield.
