Darlington swept at home by Lovett
Early-inning success is erased by late-game problems for the Tigers.
Early-inning success is erased by late-game problems for the Tigers.
Mental mistakes lead to big innings and eventually blow leads. That has seemed to be the problem with Darlington’s baseball team all season.
The theme stayed true to the end, as Darlington was swept at home Friday in its first-round series against Lovett in the Class AA state playoffs. The Tigers blew a 4- 2 lead in the first game before losing 11-4 and saw a tie game turn into an 11- 1 run- rule win for Lovett in game two.
“It has just been the story of the year for us,” Darlington coach Matt Larry said. “Just not making plays when we are supposed to, and it will come back to haunt you.”
Jake Walker went 3-for6 with two runs scored through the two games, while Jay Shadday pitched four innings in Game 1 and notched a double and a single in Game 2.
But those numbers did not compare to what the Lions produced.
Lovett shined brightest with senior Aaron Schunk, whether he was on the mound or at the plate. He picked up the win as the starting pitcher in Game 1, and hit three home runs in the doubleheader while reaching base eight- ofnine times.
But the difference in the game was the late innings, filled with timely Lovett hits and untimely Darlington errors.
When combining both games, the Tigers (13-12) actually beat the Lions 5-3 in innings one through four, with Lovett winning those last three innings 19-0.
In Game 1, Darlington had it’s only real burst of offense when it produced four runs via five consecutive two- out singles in the third.
Jay Shadday allowed only two runs through four innings, but was taken out due to a high pitch count.
The Lions ( 17- 10) quickly tied the game in the fifth inning, the second run scoring on a throwing error. Then, with the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth, designated hitter Austin Jeter slapped a single up the middle to begin a five-run rally.
“It is certainly frustrating, because that happened all season,” Larry said. “But you have to move on from it and work hard to get better.”
The Tigers brought out Cal Fuller to start Game 2 and, just like Shadday, he put his team in great position through six innings. After allowing a Schunk home run to start his day, he retired 12 of the next 14 batters. Darlington tied the game in the second inning after Shadday hit a one-run double,
But the fifth inning spelled Darlington’s doom this time. The first five Lovett batters reached base in the inning, two from hits, two from errors and another getting hit at the plate. The Tigers eventually allowed four runs, and the game slipped away again.
The Lions got the run rule in the sixth inning, including a three-run home run from Schunk.
The final blast gave him seven runs batted in and five runs scored for the day.
“Early in the season I was pressing a little bit,” Schunk said. “Today I was just trying to focus as best I could and put a good ball on for the team.”
While Darlington’s season is over, Lovett plays either Metter or Bryan County in the second round, with the opening doubleheader scheduled for Wednesday.