Game-winning hit vs. Hastings at the Dome
The Tigers kicked off their 2012 season with a flair, scoring three runs in their final two at-bats to defeat Hastings 5-4 Wednesday night at the Metrodome.
The following afternoon at Shakopee things didn't go quite as well in a 5-0 Missota Conference loss to the Sabers.
"Aside from a few mental mistakes Wednesday went well for a first game," coach Mike Winters said. "We put the ball in play and got the outs when we needed them.
"Against Shakopee it was tough to come back so quickly against a good team after an emotional win and their pitcher kept us off balance."
Hastings led 4-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning at the Dome before the Tigers tied the count on a single by Ryan Schoening, a run-scoring triple by Jordan Lugowski and a rbi single Spencer Merle.
A walk and stolen base by Nathan Graham and a two-out single by Drew Hegseth produced the game-winner in the bottom of the seventh.
John Stibal led the 11-hit Tiger offensive attack with three safeties. Schoening, Hegseth and Merle each collected a pair of hits for the winners.
Merle, who relieved Graham in the seventh, picked up the pitching victory. Jonathan Ellis started on the hill for the Tigers and went the first three innings, giving up a run on three hits. Graham hurled the next three innings, surrendering three runs on five hits.
The Tigers had their best shot at Shakopee in their first at-bat but came away empty after leaving the bases loaded with no one out. The visitors had just four base runners the rest of the way.
Farmington had only four hits in the contest, one each by Merle, Stibal, Johnny Dittman and Jake Baskerville.
Hegseth drew the starting pitching assignment and took the loss, working the first 3.1 innings. Merle entered in the fourth and went the next 1.2 frames. Ty Vincent pitched the top of the sixth, struck out two and did not allow a baser runner.
The Tigers jump back into action, Monday, Apr. 9, with home game aaginst Missota Conferene rival Holy Angels.
