The South Hardin baseball team, after opening the season at 1-5, has roared back with an eight-game win streak and is 9-5 overall. The win streak included competitive NICL wins over AGWSR, Denver and a doubleheader sweep of East Marshall. The Tigers’ last loss was against previously undefeated Grundy Center in a doubleheader on June 3.
Head Coach Nathan Weig on what helped the Tigers get back on track and the brand of baseball they strive to play.
“The main thing is a great player-led team this year. We are starting to field the ball really well, putting the bat on the ball when we need to, with all around good play by the guys right now,” says Weig. “To keep competing night in and night out, I tell the guys, whether we’re playing somebody with the best record or the worst record, we have to show up and play what I call Tiger baseball. Tiger baseball is lots of hustle, lots of energy, doing everything right and letting the chips fall where they may. That’s our motto going forward is to keep giving it effort every game we’re out there.”
The Tigers’ defense, during the win streak, has held opponents to two runs or fewer in every game except two. A 7-6 win over Denver on June 10 and a suspended game against Dike-New Hartford (scored six runs entering the seventh) on June 11 are the only two they’ve allowed more runs.
Weig on pitching depth and the quality innings they are delivering.
“It all starts for us with Preston Dolash and Peyton Welch, probably our two most experienced arms out there. Then you throw in Garrett Anderson, Casey Williamson, Josh Spindler and Braden Weig, who can go in at any time and handle a game for us. I’m really happy with our rotation right now. If we can continue what we’ve had probably the last week stretch, of getting a solid five to seven innings out of our starters, which is allow us to have good guys in the bullpen. I think we’ll be okay here down the stretch.”
Bo Carpenter is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and two strikeouts in 11 innings. Peyton Welch is 2-2 with a 1.57 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 13.1 innings lead the pitching staff.
Three different Tigers are batting over .300, including Garret Anderson at .378, Welch at .349 and Carpenter with a .333. have helped boost the offense.
South Hardin will host county rival AGWSR in a NICL-West doubleheader on Monday.
