Tigers win ‘Perfect Game’ showdown

For the Enquirer

The Hartselle Tigers defeated four opponents this past weekend to win the Perfect Game High School Showdown white bracket at the Hoover Met Complex. They picked up wins over Gatewood (Ga,), Helena, Cullman and Hueytown in the finals.

Hartselle 4, Hueytown 2

Hartselle completed the bracket sweep with a 4-2 win over Hueytown to win the showdown. The Tigers scored single runs in the second, fifth, sixth and seventh to hold off the Gophers, who scored two in the bottom of the sixth.

Asher Doepel finished 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Cruise Baker was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Cole Miles had a hit, an RBI and a run scored and Carter Lee had a hit and an RBI.

Doepel pitched a complete game to earn the win. He allowed two runs on four hits while striking out seven.

Hartselle 6, Cullman 1

Hartselle and Cullman continued their rivalry in the semifinals of the showdown. The Tigers broke open a 1-1 tie in the top of the sixth with five runs to defeat the Bearcats. The win gave coach Brad Phillips his first over one of the Tigers’ oldest rivals.

Doepel finished with a hit and two RBIs to lead Hartselle. Cruise Baker also had a hit and two RBIs. Nelms had a hit and two runs scored. Ty Marsh finished with two hits including a double.

Connor Stiles pitched 6.2 innings, allowing a run on five hits, to pick up the win.

Hartselle 12, Helena 10

Easton Nelms finished 4-for-4 with a home run, a double and seven RBIs to lead Hartselle to a come-from-behind win over Helena. The Tigers took an early 4-0 lead before Helena scored three runs in the third, six in the fourth and one in the fifth to take a 10-6 lead. The Tigers responded with six in the bottom of the sixth to get the 12-10 win.

Cain Falciani had two hits, including a double, and three RBIs, while Asher Doepel added three hits, including a double and an RBI. Witt Crisler had an RBI single and Cole Miles and Keaton Lance each had two hits.

Carter Lee got the start, going three innings and allowing five runs on six hits while striking out four. Will Sharp pitched 2 1/3 innings of relief for the win, allowing two runs on two hits with two strikeouts. Nelms picked up the save with an inning of scoreless relief.

Tigers, Page B-7 Hartselle 14, Gatewood 0

The Tigers scored two runs in the top of the first and cruised to a 14-0 win over Gatewood (GA) to open the PG High School Showdown. Marsh hit the first of his two home runs in the first, driving in the game-winning runs.

He finished two-of-four with two home runs, six RBIs and three runs scored to lead Hartselle. Seven other Tigers had RBIs in the win. Nelms finished 2-of-5 with two runs scored, while Doepel added a triple and a run scored.

Jace Meadows got the start and picked up the win. He allowed three hits while striking out four. Crisler pitched a scoreless inning of relief.

Easton Nelms beats the throw to first in the Tigers’ 6-1 win over Cullman.

ENQUIRER PHOTO BY JIM MEADOWS