Swainsboro Baseball Tigers hit rouch patch
By: TROUP BRINSON
After a hot start and fresh off an exhilarating CBIT tournament win, the Tigers dropped 3 consecutive games last week to even their season record at 4-4. Dublin, Toombs County, and Washington County made life miserable for Tiger pitchers.
However, only in the Toombs County game were the Tigers out-hit. A big reason for concern for Tiger faithful has been getting consistent pitching. Tiger hurlers have given up more freebies than a successful team can afford. On the season, Swainsboro has allowed 49 walks and 14 hit batters in just 53 innings. Add that to 56 hits allowed (which is very respectable) and the Tigers are giving up two and a quarter base runners per inning. That is a lot of stress for a team that is not an offensive juggernaut and needs to win games with hustle and playing fundamental baseball. And though allowing 20 unearned runs in 8 games due to errors is also a concern, the season is early and some of these kinks can be worked out as the season progresses.
The Tigers hosted Dublin to begin the action last Tuesday. Just a week before, Swainsboro traveled to Dublin and lost a game (9-2) in which they out-hit the Irish 7-3. In similar fashion, the Tigers again collected more hits (10-5) but lost the game as Dublin had an early 7 run inning that trumped the 5 early runs scored by Swainsboro. The final score was 8-5, but it was the 6 walks and 2 hit batters that fueled the early offense for Dublin. Rick McNeely led the Tiger offense with 2 hits and 3 runs batted in, including his second homerun of the season. Wade Ellington took the loss from the mound. Trey Logan pitched well in relief to keep the game close.
The weekend carried the Tigers to Vidalia for the Diamond Day Classic. Swainsboro battled against Toombs County in the first game. The Tigers enjoyed a 6-2 lead after two innings, but a 10 run 3rd inning flipped this game on its head and the Bulldogs cruised to a 15-6 victory. Kyle Williams had a homerun and 3 runs batted in for Swainsboro.
The finale for the Tigers pitted them against Washington County. Swainsboro led 2-1 until the bottom of the 5th inning saw the Golden Hawks score 3 times. The Tigers failed to mount any more offense and lost 6-2. The four walks and five hit batters again hurt but Swainsboro expected more from its offense as the 2-5 hitters collected all seven hits for the Tigers.
We are not playing that badly,†explained Head Coach Rusty Kea. “We’re just making mistakes that we shouldn't be making. We are allowing too many free bases due to walks, hit batsmen, etc. This is our main concern right now.â€
Swainsboro does not have the luxury of having an experience laden team and the early season often features a steep learning curve for players getting their feet wet on the varsity level.
This weeks slate of games will see the Tigers at home on Tuesday and Wednesday (South Effingham and Statesboro) and then on the road against Jefferson County on Friday. Games times are scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
However, only in the Toombs County game were the Tigers out-hit. A big reason for concern for Tiger faithful has been getting consistent pitching. Tiger hurlers have given up more freebies than a successful team can afford. On the season, Swainsboro has allowed 49 walks and 14 hit batters in just 53 innings. Add that to 56 hits allowed (which is very respectable) and the Tigers are giving up two and a quarter base runners per inning. That is a lot of stress for a team that is not an offensive juggernaut and needs to win games with hustle and playing fundamental baseball. And though allowing 20 unearned runs in 8 games due to errors is also a concern, the season is early and some of these kinks can be worked out as the season progresses.
The Tigers hosted Dublin to begin the action last Tuesday. Just a week before, Swainsboro traveled to Dublin and lost a game (9-2) in which they out-hit the Irish 7-3. In similar fashion, the Tigers again collected more hits (10-5) but lost the game as Dublin had an early 7 run inning that trumped the 5 early runs scored by Swainsboro. The final score was 8-5, but it was the 6 walks and 2 hit batters that fueled the early offense for Dublin. Rick McNeely led the Tiger offense with 2 hits and 3 runs batted in, including his second homerun of the season. Wade Ellington took the loss from the mound. Trey Logan pitched well in relief to keep the game close.
The weekend carried the Tigers to Vidalia for the Diamond Day Classic. Swainsboro battled against Toombs County in the first game. The Tigers enjoyed a 6-2 lead after two innings, but a 10 run 3rd inning flipped this game on its head and the Bulldogs cruised to a 15-6 victory. Kyle Williams had a homerun and 3 runs batted in for Swainsboro.
The finale for the Tigers pitted them against Washington County. Swainsboro led 2-1 until the bottom of the 5th inning saw the Golden Hawks score 3 times. The Tigers failed to mount any more offense and lost 6-2. The four walks and five hit batters again hurt but Swainsboro expected more from its offense as the 2-5 hitters collected all seven hits for the Tigers.
We are not playing that badly,†explained Head Coach Rusty Kea. “We’re just making mistakes that we shouldn't be making. We are allowing too many free bases due to walks, hit batsmen, etc. This is our main concern right now.â€
Swainsboro does not have the luxury of having an experience laden team and the early season often features a steep learning curve for players getting their feet wet on the varsity level.
This weeks slate of games will see the Tigers at home on Tuesday and Wednesday (South Effingham and Statesboro) and then on the road against Jefferson County on Friday. Games times are scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
