TIGERS have advanced to the Mount Gambier District baseball grand final after a strong win over South Indians in the preliminary final on Saturday.
A large crowd flocked to Blue Lake Sports Park to watch what was one of the most anticipated games of the season, with a rivalry that dates back many years.
South began proceedings with the bat and it was a nervous start for Tigers after back-to-back errors left South with runners aboard and zero out.
Alex Reppin showed why he has been a class act of the league for many years, providing Tigers with ground balls and fly balls to see the innings over with no damage.
Tigers took the game in their own hands and with back-to-back hits to lead-off Jesse Forster and Hayden Jones, were in command when Garth Ransom drove over the plate the first run of the game, followed by a Tyler Horrigan blast that scored a second and Tigers were up and about.
It was then a back-and-forth affair over the next four innings, with neither side able to get a run and pressure mounting on both sides.
Ransom then showed why he is the reigning league best and fairest, with his second hit in the game beating out the infield throw.
Horrigan then knocked a shot into left field and and an over throw from South’s Ben Nash saw Ransom score and Tyler stand up at second.
Suddenly the game was getting away from South and Tigers had found an extra gear.
A pitching change saw Bruce Morale replace Dean Hamilton on the mound and much of the crowd was expecting some fire works but it was not to be.
The last two innings saw three hit batters and two more runs for Tigers, while South failed to score.
It only took Tigers eight bats to seal the 6-0 victory and advance to the big dance and take on the reigning premiers in a best of three game series, Friday and Saturday night.
Results
Tigers 6 d South 0. Hits – Tigers: G. Ransom 3, M. Thompson 2, T. Horrigan 1, K. Ransom 1, J. Foster 1, H. Jones 1, A. Reppin 1; South – R. Placcuci 1.
