Set to face DeQuincy tonight, April 30
The LaSalle Tigers, ranked #14 in Division IV Non-Select, only needed five innings to put away the visiting #19 Homer Pelicans on Tuesday, April 22, in the first round of the LHSAA baseball playoffs.
The Tigers entered the game as the lower seed, meaning their first-round game was at Tiger Field in Olla. A great crowd was onhand to witness the Tigers pound their way to an 11-0 victory and advance to the second or regional round.
The Tigers scored 11 runs and held the Pelicans to 0 with outstanding pitching and key hitting. La-Salle will now travel to #3 DeQuincy High School today for the second-round game.
The game against Homer was a complete team win. The defense was solid behind the starting pitching of Kale Murphrey. That solid defense continued as Brady Tatum entered the game in the fourth inning in relief.
The Tiger offense was led by Canaan Stowe and Kale Murphrey. Stowe delivered in his three atbats with a double and two singles, and three RBIs. Murphrey ripped a bases-loaded triple in the second inning to boost the Tiger lead.
Brady Tatum drew two walks and smashed a line drive double on the day that scored a run. Jessey Stowe, Tuff Street, Lane Burnham and Mason Lee all got in on the hit parade.
The guys have been putting in the work and are starting to get hot at the right time. They will need to continue that team mentality as they face a tough De-Quincy team who has amassed a 22-11 record this baseball season.
A win against DeQuincy will send the Tigers to the quarterfinal round where they will face the winner of the #6 Vinton versus #11 Logansport games. A win in the quarters will punch their ticket to the state tournament and the semifinals May 13.
Pitching is starting to hit its stride at the perfect time of the season. Let’s hit the road this week to cheer on these guys that are looking to make a deep run in the playoffs. Hope to see you at the games.
