HEARTBREAKS ON DIAMOND: Late runs see Straughn Tigers fall to Gamecocks

Published 12:05 am Tuesday, April 17, 2018

The Straughn Tigers battled to the finish, but were unable able to hold off the New Brockton Gamecocks in a 6-2 loss on Monday night in Straughn.

Mitchell Schultz got the start on the mound for the Tigers and breezed through the top of the first inning.

In the top of the second inning, New Brockton got a couple of one-out base hits to get things started.

Schultz then got a ground ball for the second out, but then a two-out double put the Gamecocks on top 1-0.

Schultz limited the damage as he struck out the next batter.

New Brockton’s starting pitcher struck out the side in the bottom the second inning.

Schultz started the top of the third inning strong with a pop out and a strikeout.

The Gamecocks responded with a pair of two-out singles to go on top 2-0.

In the bottom of the second inning, Corey Matrullo got things rolling for the Tigers with a single to start the frame.

Brady Hamrac then moved him around to second with a sacrifice.

With two outs in the inning, Trystian Barber beat out an infield single and Matrullo raced for home to put the Tigers on the board.

The Gamecocks got a single to start the top of the fourth inning, but Chandler Mitchell threw out the runner heading for second.

Schultz then struck out two batters to end the frame.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Austin Smith reached first off of an error to start the frame.

Matrullo then dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Smith over to second base.

Bryant Harper then ripped a pitch back up the middle of the diamond.

Smith came motoring around third and easily came in to score the tying run.

The Gamecocks took the lead back in the top of the sixth inning with a one-out base hit.

The Tigers continued to battle, but couldn’t get anything going in the sixth or seventh innings.

New Brockton tacked on three runs in the seventh inning to pick up a 6-2 victory.