Down 3-0 in the top of the third, the Lady Tigers put five runs on the board. Becky Jenks opened the inning with a single and stolen base. Jordan Herndon followed with a single. After a fly out, Lexie DeVuyst singled to load the bases. After a strikeout, Taylor Gutierrez walked in a run. Back-to-back doubles by Lana Wood and Nichole Byrne would clear the bases and the Tigers took the 5-3 lead into the bottom of the third. That lead did not last long as Poplar Springs would score six runs on four walks, a double and three singles and grab the lead right back at 9-5.
The Tigers would chip away at the lead in the top of the fourth with two more runs. Jenks led off the inning with a single. After a pop up, Sarah Liffick doubled to right to score Jenks. After a strike out and a walk, the Tigers had runners on first and second with two outs. Taylor Gutierrez singled to center scoring Liffick. The side was retired after a pop up to the pitcher but the Tigers inched closer at 9-7. The Tigers could not hold the Atomics in the fourth as they scored three more runs, two of which were unearned.
With the Tigers trailing 12-7 in their last at bat they were able to score two more times. With one out, Dharma Lee singled to center field. After a strike out the Tigers reeled off three straight singles by Herndon, Liffick and DeVuyst scoring two runs. A ground out ended the inning and the game at 12-9.
Becky Jenks and Herndon went 3-4 at the plate for the Tigers. Sarah Liffick and DeVuyst had two hits each and Wood knocked in three runs.
Courtnee Shuler started in the circle and pitched three innings giving up nine runs (three unearned) with six walks taking the loss. Wood entered the game in relief pitching one inning giving up three runs (one earned) with 4 walks.
The second game was all Poplar Springs. The Tigers trailed 5-0 before scoring two runs in the top of the fourth. After two quick outs, Mary Reynolds would start the Tiger rally with a single. Byrne doubled to center field and scored Reynolds. Dharma Lee followed with a single scoring Byrne and the Tigers cut the gap to 5-2 with an inning and a half to go. The Atomics would score six runs, all unearned, in the bottom of the fourth to increase their lead to 11-2. The Tigers went three up and three down in the fifth to end the game at 11-2.
Sarah Liffick led the Tigers at the plate going 2-3. Dharma Lee, Reynolds and Byrne had one hit each. Lana Wood took the loss in the circle
pitching the first two innings allowing 5 earned runs on 6 hits, two walks and a strike out. Nichole Byrne came on in relief for the final two innings giving up 6 unearned runs on 9 hits.
Blountstown – One Tuesday the 24th the Tigers played district leader Sneads for a chance to overtake them for first place. The Tigers played well except for one inning but could not muster enough offense losing 13-1. With the score 2-0 Sneads after two complete, Sneads would go on and score 10 runs in the top of the third extending their lead to 12-0. Blountstown would score their lone run in the top of the fourth. A Becky Jenks walk and Dharma Lee single opened the inning. After two outs, a Sarah Liffick single to right field pushed Jenks across the plate.
The Tigers managed six hits in the game led by Jordan Herndon’s two doubles. Lee, Liffick, Courtnee Shuler and Taylor Gutierrez finished the night with one hit each. Two errors and 6 unearned runs doomed the Tigers. Lana Wood started in the circle and pitched five complete innings allowing only two walks.
After one third of the season complete, Blountstown has a record of 3-6 (3-1). The Tigers played Vernon on Tuesday the 3rd (stats not available prior to press). Blountstown will host Wewahitchka on Thursday the 5th at 6:00 PM CST and travel to Cottondale on Tuesday the 10th at 6:00 PM CST.
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