The Festus Tigers won their opening game of the season, but then dropped three straight and looked to be in the doldrums. Sitting at 1-3 after a 1-0 loss to the Central Rebels they found themselves searching for offense, and frankly, victories.
Well that all turned around this week when they clipped Lutheran South 5-3 on Tuesday before pulling off a nail-biting 6-5 victory over Northwest Cedar Hill on Wednesday. The season’s first set of back to back wins has them back at .500 with a much less concerning 3-3 record.
The first much-needed win came against the Lutheran South Lancers on the road, but the Tigers were ready from the opening pitch. Jeremiah Cunningham led off the game with a single and then came around to score on a Tyler Bizzle base-knock to right. One pitch later Mason Schirmer went yard on a bomb over the right field fence and Festus was off and running with a 3-0 lead.
The Lancers got a run back in the second, but the Tigers would steal that tally right back in the third on another RBI single from Bizzle. Hayden Bates tacked on an insurance run in the fifth with a run-scoring single to center and Festus held on for the 5-3 victory.
Cole Skaggs was on the mound and spun 4.1 solid innings of two-run ball on four hits and three walks against four Ks. He got the win and Trenton Young cleaned up the final 2.2 IP for the save. He allowed just one run and had four strikeouts in his relief appearance.
Bizzle was a sizzling 3-for-3 at the plate with a pair of RBI, while Schirmer went 2-for-3 with the aforementioned two-run bomb. Cunningham had a nice day at the dish as well with a 2-for-4 performance that featured a double and two runs scored.
Next up were the Northwest Lions out of Cedar Hill, but the Tigers got to be at home for this one. The Lions would strike first with three runs in the second inning, but that lead didn’t last long. Festus came roaring back in the bottom half and put up three of their own. Three consecutive singles to lead off the inning loaded the bases before Skaggs worked a four-pitch walk to get the Tigers on the board.
Still with nobody out Henry Roux walked as well to make it 3-2. Then an RBI groundout from Wyatt Huskey tied the score at 3-all, and Festus would take off from there.
A costly error in the third inning gave them a 4-3 lead before the Tigers would pounce again in the fourth. With two men on in the bottom of the inning, Bizzle sent one to the outfield but it was misplayed and both runners came around to score on the error. That put Festus up 6-3 after five.
The Lions made it interesting with a pair of runs in the sixth to make it 6-5, but the comeback fell short and the Tigers were able to slam the door. Tyler Reece got the start but lasted just an inning and a third after giving ups three runs on three hits and four walks. Gavin Williams picked up the win with two scoreless frames and Schirmer earned the save after carrying most of the load with 3.2 IP and two earned. He allowed three hits, two walks and fanned five.
The offense was surprising stagnant despite scoring six runs, but the Tigers took advantage of miscues and were patient at the plate. They only had five hits as a team, but did manage to generate five walks and stole a pair of bases that contributed to the win.
All of the games have been tight so far, but it’s working out half the time. Festus just needs to get their bats to heat up a bit and they should be able to string a few more wins together. They take on a tough Liberty team on Saturday in double header that could shape the first chunk of their season.
