Tigers defeat Vernon 5-2, fall to Chipley 4-1
Advertisement
Text size: small | medium | large
DUSTIN KENT / Jackson County Floridan
Published: March 1, 2008
The Tigers are now 3-3 on the season.
Vernon held a 2-1 lead after the first inning Friday night, though the Tigers reclaimed the advantage with a three-run fourth inning to go up 4-2.
Graceville added another in the seventh for the final margin.
It was all the support that Tigers starter Josh Taylor needed, as he went the full seven innings, giving up just two runs on five hits while striking out seven and walking no one.
Julius Carver led the Tigers offensively, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.
Graceville wasn't as successful Thursday night against Chipley, though coach Mike Carter was plenty pleased with the effort.
"I thought we played really well," the coach said. "Chipley is a really good team and playing them twice in as many weeks was very tough.
"We played pretty well, well enough to finish the game with them, so they didn't run us off the field."
Chipley defeated Graceville 7-1 in the first matchup between the teams Feb. 14 in Chipley.
Thursday's game was far more competitive than that game, however, as Graceville trailed just 1-0 going into the fifth inning.
But Chipley got two runs with two outs in top of the fifth after a Graceville throwing error kept the inning alive.
Graceville scored a run in the bottom of the sixth inning but couldn't make up any more ground.
Still, Carter said he was impressed with the performance of his team against a high-caliber club like Chipley.
"I was definitely encouraged," the coach said. "Chipley is a 3A school with a lot of athletes to choose from. To play that closely with a team that good is encouraging."
Ironically, Carter was less impressed by his team's performance in victory Friday night.
"I felt fortunate to get out of there with a win," Carter said of the Vernon game. "We didn't play as well Friday as we did Thursday, but we played well enough to win, which is good," Carter said. ""But we're still making mistakes that we definitely have to fix if we're going to be competitive.
"The inconsistency to play Chipley with only one error and commit four against Vernon... if we don't get better, it's going to be a long season."
Graceville next plays Monday against Bethlehem at home, then Thursday at Poplar Springs at 4 p.m. before hosting Marianna Friday at p.m.
--
Graceville next plays Monday against Bethlehem at home, then Thursday at Poplar Springs at 4 p.m. before hosting Marianna Friday at p.m.
Can't find what you're looking for? Try our quick search:
