Tiger baseball coach Rhett Hellgren summed up his squad’s 0-5 record with one word, "performance." The Tigers took a 7-5 loss at home Saturday against Richmond Hill despite a second inning rally that brought in 4 runs and put the Tigers up by 1.
According to Hellgren, a less than stellar performance and not completing all 7 innings led to the 2-point loss Saturday.
"Our two best hitters come up with guys on base and they didn’t perform," he said. "The guys that you are counting
on to perform are not coming through for us. The seniors that have been on my squad for three-four years they need to perform and they aren’t right know."
Hellgren said he has younger players vying for a starting spot and if they are willing to perform they will get a shot.
With Tiger pitcher Trivon Williams on the mound in the first two innings the Richmond Wildcats hit and walked their way to three quick runs.
The Wildcat pitcher started to struggle in the second inning and walked in one Tiger. DeAnte Day scored by taking home on a wild pitch and Garrett McCorkle hit a line drive bringing in two more Tigers for the 4-3 lead.
"We are 0-5 because we have not played seven complete innings," Hellgren said. "Three of the losses are because we came out and had one bad inning and we would lose. Against Brantley County we had two bad innings. If we can play seven complete innings we can compete with anybody in the state. WE need to stay mentally strong. Athletically we are great but we don’t have the mental capacity right now."
The Tigers were set to host their first region game against Camden County on Tuesday. Hellgren said he would look to his top rotation on the mound.
Stephen Dill is likely to get the start with DeAnte Day to follow if needed.
"You have to go with your seniors and hopes they go out there and do their job," Hellgren said. "If they walk a bunch of people then it will be the same old thing."
Camden has been the powerhouse team in region 3-AAAAA the last few years but Hellgren said this season they are not at their strongest, but he quickly added the outcome will not change unless his squad comes out to play all seven innings with focus and determination.