Titans lose in 'heartbreakers' last week

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The Tri-County Titans continued a busy week of baseball with games at Valentine Tuesday, June 6 and at Orchard, Wednesday, June 7, against the Atkinson seniors.

"These were two close, action-packed ball games," Coach Jeff Shabram said.

In the contest at Valentine against the Post #90 juniors, Tri-County played "an excellent six and two-thirds innings" only to lose the heartbreaker by a score of 5-6 in the bottom of the seventh after a walk-off hit by Valentine.

Wyatt Shabram was the starting pitcher, throwing six and two-thirds innings and striking out 10 batters before being replaced due to reaching maximum pitch count. Landon McAllister entered in relief.

The Titans were aggressive at the plate, as well as on the bases, and held a commanding 4-0 lead going into the sixth inning with runs being scored by Shabram, Ryan Rifer, who had two hits and Jake Schroeder.

Valentine was able to tie the game 4-4 after that inning. But Tri-County would answer and take a one-run lead in the seventh on a Connor Thomson run.

"But it is in the bottom of that inning where too many errors and miscommunication plays occurred, which led to the Titan's demise," Shabram said.

RBIs were credited to Rifer, who finished with two, and Isaac Pavlik.

After arriving home late Tuesday night from Valentine, it was another short turnaround for the Titans, as the Atkinson seniors would visit Orchard on Wednesday.

Shabram said, "This was another excellent game with some outstanding baseball action from both teams. It was an exhibition game of sorts versus a very good Atkinson seniors' team, but the Titan juniors were ready for the challenge."

In the end, Atkinson finished with one more run on the scoreboard, 9-10.

Rifer started on the mound, throwing five and one-third innings, striking out seven batters while allowing six runs.

Thomson and McAllister went to the mound in relief, throwing the final two innings.

"The Titan defense played much more inspired baseball," Shabram said.

Tri-County's offense came out on fire, scoring three runs in the first inning, courtesy of Thomson, Rifer and A.J. Hobbs. The second inning would then see four more runs scored by Landon Nelson, Kaiden Bauer, Shabram and Rifer. No Titan runs were scored in the third.

Rifer crossed the plate again in the fourth inning and Schroeder scored in the fifth inning.

But that was it for Titan scores the rest of the game, while Atkinson would score two in the sixth and one in the seventh.

RBIs were credited to Thomson; Rifer, three; Hobbs; Pavlik, three; and Riley Saul.

"Excellent job boys against an older senior team. Your effort was outstanding," Shabram said.