GREENVILLE, SC - What a game! The Tigers were nearly perfect offensively and defensively on Wednesday night at Fluor Field against Erik Bakich's old rival, Sparty. Eston Simpson got the start on the mound and allowed just one run in 4 innings. The bull pen was even better, striking out 7 in 3 innings! Meanwhile, the offense was explosive, hitting 4 homers. Jay Dillard, who only had two appearances and no hits this season, made his first start, and boy, did he capitalize on it! He had a 4 RBI's--all with 2 outs--including a double and a walk-off HR in the 7th over the monster in left!
McCladdie replaced the slumping Bryce Clavon in center on Saturday against the Gamecocks, and he had a sensational game. He saved a couple of runs with a spectacular catch in center to end the top of the 3rd and followed that with a leadoff double in the bottom half. Later in the 3rd, the Tigers put together an incredible two-out rally, scoring 6 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks, all with 2 outs! McCladdie also homered in the game, as did Gaffney and Jarrell. The aforementioned Clavon was even able to break his hitting slump with a 2-out double in the 7th, which set up Dillard's walk-off homer.
The Tigers improved to 11-1 on the season and will play 4 games at home against LaSalle this weekend. Bakich told us after the game that they will rest Friday starter Aidan Knaak, which they had planned for a while. He was also on a pitch count in the fall in the hopes that the rest will allow him to be at his best come post-season play.
My post-game interviews are below!
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