Sebren Baer 2-3, 3B, RBI vs. Chaska
(photos by Jim Lindquist)
The sluggish Farmington offense came up big in a split of Missota Conference home contests to open a busy three-game week.
Monday, May 2, the Tigers rapped 11 hits in a 10-7 loss to Chaska and then exploded for 11 more a day later in a 10-6 victory over Holy Angels. The win over the Stars snapped a six-game losing skid and upped Farmington's season record to 2-8.
"We've had some two-out rallies and strung together some hits," Tiger coach Mike Winters said. "which hasn't been a regular occurrence this season.
"Hopefully we've built up some confidence in these last two games that will spark a mid-season streak."
The Tigers took a 7-5 lead into the top of the seventh inning against Chaska but couldn't close out the potential victory as the Hawks rallied for five runs in their final at-bat.
Zach Wallace pitched the first 6 1/3 innings for the Tigers, giving up seven runs on seven hits. Dayne Eich took the loss in a relief role, surrendering the final three scores.
"We need to get more comfortable with a lead and play relaxed," Winters said. "We need to do what we do no matter what the situation is."
Nathan Graham had a big day at the plate for the Tigers, collecting three hits in four-at bats with a rbi and two runs scored. Catcher Sebren Baer went 2-3, including a rbi triple.
The win over Holy Angels was a complete about face from the team's earlier meeting when the Stars didn't allow a Farmington hit in an easy 12-0 win.
The rematch was tied at 5-5 heading into the bottom of the fifth when the home team erupted for four runs. Wallace drove in the first with a double and then Jake Baskerville laced a two-run single. Quinn Eden's double produced the final run of the inning.
Spencer Merle's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth added a little icing to the victory cake.
Merle started on the mound with Andy Morris coming on in the third to pick up the win. Graham hurled two innings of one-run relief.
The Tigers close out their week with a Missota Conference road game Thursday in Northfield.
