Summer Sports — it’s a Wrap!

The Tigers battled the Danville team in an exciting game on July 8, but came up just short losing 9-7 in the Class 1A regional first round game at New London.

After four innings, the Bears led 4-1. The Tigers’ only run came off Lillie Gallup’s RBI single in the second inning. Shaylee Brothersen scored in the fifth making it 4-2 Danville.

The Bears expanded their lead by five in the sixth off a two RBI double. The Bears had a 9-2 cushion, but the Tigers didn’t give up.

The bottom of the seventh started with a Brothersen walk. Morgan Jones hit a single and Sophie Malott was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A wild pitch and an error scored two, 9-4. Another Danville error allowed two more to score, 9-6. Maison Nelson was up next, and she hit an RBI scoring Lena Nelson, 9-7.

Would the comeback continue? Gallup was walked, and the Tigers loaded the bases again with only one out. Kennedy Herrick was up. She popped up to third. Before the runners could get back, it was over. Danville’s third baseman made an unassisted double play. The Tigers lost a heartbreaker.

The Tigers finished the season at 2-19. But they had no reason to hang their heads. They played hard and never gave up.

Baseball

After the win against Pekin, the Tigers faced the Notre Dame Nikes. The Tigers knew their work was cut out for them. The Nikes are having quite a season, ranked second in Class 1A.

The Tigers started out strong, but a rain suspension after the first 1½ innings took whatever momentum they had away. The game was resumed the next evening at the Wagner Complex in West Burlington. Notre Dame took the lead for good in the bottom of the second inning and won 9-1.

Tigers getting hits were Memphis Watson, Michael Raines. Sully Barron, and Tate Welcher. Barron scored the Tigers’ only run on an RBI from Watson. Pitchers were Watson and Gavin Menke-Bailey with Watson getting the loss. The Tigers finished the season at 8-15.

Michael Raines, the lone senior for the Tigers, has graduated. He will be missed. He is the last remaining player from the 2022 state championship team. Of him, Coach Jayden Flowers said, “He’s a fantastic kid and a fantastic athlete. I’m proud to have had the opportunity to coach him.”

The new school year will soon be here, and the football field and the gym will soon abound with the volleyball team and the football team getting ready for a new season.

As always… Go Tigers!