Catcher Cody Curell tags a player out at home plate.

The Tigers put together a solid pitching performance at Crosby-Ironton but gave up four two-out runs in the third to fall to the Rangers in the opener 4-2. The Tigers fell behind early against Nevis but battled back and poured it on in the later innings for a 12-7 conference victory.

Tigers drop opener at C-I

On April 17 senior Marcus Hernandez pitched a complete game, six-hitter in the Tigers' opening loss to non-conference foe Crosby-Ironton.

The Rangers scratched out four runs in the second inning after a two-out dropped third strike to take a 4-0 lead.

Levi Allen led off the third inning for PR-B, reaching on an error and went to second on a wild pitch. A pitch hit Ryan Snavely before Troy Griffith drew a walk to load the bases. Andy Davidson grounded out, scoring Allen and Jordan Ackerman reached on an error, driving in another run to pull the Tigers within two runs but PR-B couldn't get the bats going in the later innings and eventually fell 4-2.

Hernandez pitched six innings and gave up four runs on six hits while striking out nine batters and walking two.

"We missed opportunities," said Tiger coach Steve Snavely. "We left a lot of guys on base. I try to get through to the guys that every error, every dropped ball, every walk gives our opponents an opportunity to stay in the game."

PR-B gets conference win over Nevis

On Friday, April 18, the Tigers spotted Nevis an early 4-0 lead but sophomore Jordan Ackerman hit for the cycle to lead PR-B to a comeback conference win. After falling behind the Tigers battled back to lead 5-4 but Nevis would tie it and regain the lead at 7-5. It was all Pine River-Backus after that as the Tigers erupted for seven runs in the final two innings for the 12-7 victory.

Nevis picked up one run in the first inning and the lead grew to 4-0 in the second inning by a two-run home run. Andy Davidson led off the PR-B second with a single. Jordan Ackerman doubled, scoring Davidson and cutting the lead to 4-1.

Jared Johnson singled to open the third inning and Levi Allen sacrificed, moving Johnson to second. Troy Griffith then singled, scoring Johnson and Davidson hit an RBI double before Ackerman hit a two-run homer, putting PR-B on top 5-4.

Nevis tied the game at 5-5 in the top of the fourth and retook the lead at 7-5 in the fifth off a walk, a single and a two-RBI double.

Allen led off the bottom of the fifth reaching on an error. Snavely singled and Griffith drew a walk to load the bases. Davidson then laid down a perfect double squeeze play scoring Allen and Snavely. Ackerman hit an RBI triple and scored on a wild pitch. Nathan Waslaski reached on an error and Cody Curell singled as PR-B opened up a 10-7 lead.

Allen again reached on an error to start the sixth inning and went to second on Snavely's sacrifice. Griffith drew a walk and stole second base. Davidson grounded out scoring Allen and Ackerman singled scoring Griffith for the 12-7 final.

The Tigers put up 12 runs on 11 hits. Ackerman went 4-for-4 from the plate with a single, a double, a triple and a home run to lead the Tigers.

Snavely pitched four innings giving up seven runs on six hits with three walks and five strike outs. Ackerman came on in relief, giving up no hits and no walks while striking out five batters.

"We have a lot of guys whose abilities are very close," said Snavely. "We will continue to give them playing opportunities until someone steps up and really takes charge in that position."

The Tigers, 1-0 in Northland Conference play and 1-1 overall, host Pequot Lakes on April 24 for a non-conference matchup with the Patriots and host Northome-Kelliher for a conference double-header on April 25.

For more photos go to spotted.pineandlakes.com.