Tigers scrape out win in home opener

NEW LONDON ? Quincy Porter?s seventh-inning single lifted New London over Central Lee, 8-7, in the Tigers? home opener on Friday night.

The Tigers were down 7-6 and Porter was 0-for-3 with a walk when he stepped up to the plate in the final inning. New London had two outs, but Nick Oliver was on second and Grant McPheron was on first.

Porter connected. The second baseman couldn?t field the ball, and it rolled out to right field, giving both Oliver and McPheron enough time to cross the plate for the win.

The Tigers did nearly all their damage with timely base hits and walks; their only extra base hit was Devon Smyth?s double early in the game.

?The state changed the bats and we graduated some experienced hitters, so we?re not going to have the power we?ve had in recent years,? Helmerson said.

Matayo Christianer and Dalton Dudley split time on the hill for the Tigers. Christianer went three innings, allowed six hits and three runs (one earned), walked one and struck out four. Dudley came in for the final four innings and got the win. He allowed six hits and four runs (three earned), walked one and struck out four.

The Tigers play again tonight at Cardinal in Eldon, starting at 5:30 p.m.