6IP, 2H, 1R, 3K, 2BB
The Tigers and the Minnesota Twins have had something in common lately. Neither has been able to generate much in the way of offense.
Farmington managed just two runs in three weekend losses to drop its season record to 1-7.
Friday in Zumbrota the Tigers collected only two hits in a tough 1-0 loss to Zumbrota-Mazeppa. The following day in a four-team tournament at Eastview they lost 8-2 to St. Louis Park and 7-0 to host Eastview.
"We have to improve our approach and mental toughness to turn this thing around," Tiger coach Mike Winters said. "We need to focus on what we can control, like effort and attitude."
The non-conference loss to Zumbrota-Mazeppa featured a sterling pitching performance by Farmington's Spencer Merle who allowed one run on two hits in six innings of mound duty. Merle struck out five batters and walked four.
Zumbrota scored the only run of the contest in the home half of the fifth inning. Reliever Cole Luskey worked out of a bases-loaded situation in the sixth inning to keep the deficit at one heading into the final Farmington at-bat.
Steven Barber and Nathan Graham had the Tiger hits, both singles.
"We didn't capitalize on our limited opportunities," Winters said.
The Tigers trailed St. Louis Park 7-0 before getting on the board in the bottom of the seventh on a single by John Stibal, a double by Steven Barber, a rbi fielder's choice ground ball by Sebren Baer and a run-scoring single by Zach Wallace.
Dayne Eich hurled the first four frames for Farmington and absorbed the loss. Ty Vincent took over in the fifth and pitched the final three innings.
The Tigers did a better job of hitting the ball in the losing effort, finsihing with eight hits, including two by Barber.
Jonathan Ellis went the distance in the loss to Eastivew, allowing seven hits and three earned runs. The Farmington offense produced just four hits in its fifth consecutive loss.
