Tigers battle back to earn split with Helena
The Hartselle Tigers needed a Cam Palahach sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh to earn a split with Helena in their first home games of the season. The Tigers improved to 9-4 following the win.
Game 1: Helena 6, Hartselle 3
The Tigers dropped game one of their doubleheader with Helena 6-3 despite outhitting the Huskies 9-4. The Huskies took a 1-0 lead in the third and added five unearned runs in the fourth to take a 6-0 lead. The Tigers scored runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth to cut the Helena lead to 6-3. Hartselle threatened in the seventh but stranded two runners on base as Helena got the win.
Eli Tidwell was 3-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored to lead the Hartselle offense. JoJo Williamson had two hits, including a double, and an RBI, while Coleman Mizell added a hit and an RBI.
Jack Smith started the game and took the loss after allowing one run on one hit while striking out six in three innings. Issac Nicholson allowed five unearned runs on two hits in the-thirds of an inning. Andrew Coleman pitched 3.1 innings, allowing one hit while striking out five.
Game 2: Hartselle 9, Helena 8
Palahach hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh to plate Mizell and give Hartselle a 9-8 win over Helena in game two of their doubleheader. The Tigers took a 4-0 lead in the first, but the Huskies cut the lead to 4-2 in the top of the second. After the Tigers extended the lead to 5-2 in the fourth, Helena scored four in the top of the fifth to take a 6-5 lead. Hartselle scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth to retake the lead at 7-6. However, Helena tied the game in the top of the sixth at 7-7, which led to the late-game heroics by Palahach.
Lawson Williams had three hits, a stolen base, two RBI, and a run scored to lead the Tigers (9-4). Mizell added two hits, two RBI and two runs scored, including the game-winner. Palahach had two hits and an RBI, while Cade Miles had two hits and three RBI. Peyton Steel scored two runs and had a hit.
&Landon Blackwood picked up the win after pitching three innings of relief. He allowed one run on two hits while striking out four. Nic Chumley got the start and allowed six runs on nine hits in four innings.
