By By ROBERT BLANKENSHIP – Managing Editor
The T.R. Miller baseball season came to a sudden end on Saturday as Dadeville won the second game of a three game series to sweep the Tigers.
Needing a victory to force a game three, the Tigers had to play catch up through most the game. Then, they watched as Dadeville put up three runs in the top of the seventh to take the lead. The Tigers' rally in the bottom of the inning produced two runs, but fell short by a final score of 8-6.
The loss completes the T.R. Miller season with an overall record of 19-9. Coach Jim Hart said the loss was disappointing, especially for his players.
Hart said the past season was an overall success due to the hard work and character of the students on the team.
T.R. Miller faced a deficit early in the game as the Dadeville second baseman lined a single and then came home later in the inning on a fielder's choice.
The Tigers got on the board in the top of the third as Russell Bagwell sent a Dadeville pitch out of the park for a homerun.
Dadeville took the lead again when they added another run in the bottom of the third inning.
In the top of the fourth, Eli Cook tied the game with one swing of his bat as he sent the Tigers' second homerun of the game out of the park.
But, Dadeville came right back in the bottom of the fifth, scoring one run on two singles to take a 3-2 lead.
The Tigers took their first lead of the game after scoring two runs in the top of the sixth. Cook came through with a leadoff single and James Martin reached after swing a pitch that got away from the Dadeville catcher. A double by Joseph Turner brought both runners around, cutting the lead to 4-3.
Dadeville captured the lead again in the bottom of the sixth inning as consecutive walks led to two runs, giving them a 5-4 lead with one inning to play.
Once again, the Tigers came through with two runs as Holland and Cook lined one-out singles. They scored on a basehit by Martin giving the Tigers a 6-5 lead.
Needing three outs to force a third game, the Tigers were looking to play solid defense. But, two singles set up a game-ending three-run homer off the bat of Dadeville's firstbaseman.
Josh Stanley got the start on the mound for the Tigers, pitching five innings. Alex Granade and Brad Lannom each pitched in relief.