Tigers Build with Back to Back Wins; Middle Line up Stays Hot
Canton, MO —The Canton Tigers picked up a back-to-back win as they took down district opponent Knox County Eagles 6-5. As the middle lineup continues its hot streak of hits. As the Tigers battled their way back into the game.
Knox County got on the board early. As three singles would allow them to score three and take an early lead over Canton. However, Tiger senior Drew Gottman would hit a solo home run in the bottom of the first to get it going for the Tigers.
Senior Pitcher Kaeden Gollaher would hold the Eagles quiet in the second and the third, allowing the offense to tie the game. In the bottom of the third, Drew Gottman would hit an RBI double to make it a one-run game. Followed by the red-hot Richie Polak, who would get on base with an error, allowing Gottman to score and tie the game at three.
The Eagles would regain the lead in the fifth, forcing a pitching change for the Tigers, followed by a sac fly to center, with bases loaded to gain a one-run lead. However, Polak kept the bat hot as he hit an RBI single to tie the game again. Jayden Shuman would hit a sac fly to give Canton the lead again, and Gollaher would add insurance with an RBI single in the gap up the center to give Canton a 6-4 lead.
Knox County’s Cooper Clair would close the game 6-5 with a solo homer to center. However, Knox County couldn’t rally as Jayden Shuman closed out the game, giving Canton the win.
Coach Birck discussed the recent hot streak out of the middle lineup “Yeah, they’re hot. I mean, anything to keep them hot. We’re getting guys on base, they’re coming up, they’re putting the ball in play and they’re doing their job.”
The Tigers improve to 4-5 on the season. They will remain home and look to take on Schuyler County in a rescheduled game on April 17th. With a 5:00 First Pitch.
KEY STATS
Canton; 6 R, 8 H, 3 E
Jayden Shuman (W); 3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 K
Richie Polak; 1-2, 1 RBI, 1 R
Drew Gottman; 2-4, 2 RBI, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 2B
Knox County; 5 R, 8 H, 1 E
Jace Frost (L); 3.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 R, 5 K; 1-4, 2 RBI’s
Cooper Clair; 2-3, 1 RBI, 3 R, 1 HR; 3.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER
Nathan Penn; 1-4, 1 RBI, 1 R
