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The final week of the regular season copied their whole season. Putting it all together and then struggling with phases of their game. Of course, much has to do with the opponent but the Tigers do have to own their problems. They entered the week not having to worry about making the playoffs but the seed does matter. Going into the final game with Kerrville they were the second seed. A loss and a Johnson win would drop them to third. There is usually a steeper hill to climb playing a second seed than a third. Things would go their way at Seguin with two big scoring innings invoking the tenrun rule after five with the 15-0 score. However, the Antlers made it personal with a 2-1 triumph.
At Seguin, Nico Ruedas would start it off right as he led off the game with a homerun. In the third, four walks, two errors and three hits would amass 7 runs. Another big inning in the fifth as three more walks and six hits put another seven runs across the plate. The highlight of the inning was a grand slam home run by Taylor Tracey. The Matadors put together their only rally with two hits in the first inning but a double-play ended their chances.
Kerrville would come with a big chip on their shoulder. They had been knocked out of playoff contention early but finished winning the last three. Two teams could not be more equal in their two matches. In the first game it took an inside-the-park homerun in the sixth by Ruedas to win the game 1-0. This time the scoreless innings did not stop until the seventh. Tiger pitching had held the Antlers hitless and the Tigers could only scratch out four. Each team had scoring chances but could not capitalize.
Extra-innings were averted in the seventh. Kerrville got a two-out single. Quickly a walk, an rbi single and a poor throwing decision and it is 2-0. This woke the Tigers up. Ayden Dennis got a one-out single, followed by a double by Ruedas. If not for the good breeze from the outfield, that ball would have cleared the wall. Instead, runners on second and third. A ground out scored one but another great play by the shortstop nipped the batter to preserve their victory. Both shortstops made big-time plays during the game.
As it turned out, Hays Johnson was victorious, moving DS to third. Looks like the Tigers will be playing Cedar Park, probably beginning tomorrow. Check the school website for final details.
Vs Seguin: Hits: Mason Ashlock 2 (2B), Ruedas 2, Aiden Perry 2B, Tracey, Wyatt Leschber 2B, Sam Agajanian 2B, Carter Gardiner, Dennis, Jaxon Conover 2B. Pitch: Ruedas: 4IP, 2H, 5K; Ryland Mahoney: 1IP, 2K.
Vs KT: Hits: Dennis 2, Ruedas, Brandon Arvidson 2B, Matthew Schindler, Perry. Pitcher: Arvidson: 5IP, 0H, 0R, 3W, 1HBP; Conover: 2IP, 2H, 2R, 2ER, 2W, 1HBP, 3K.
