Ethel gave up only six hits in two games with Resurrection, but 15 walks resulted in 6-4 and 6-5 losses that ended the Tigers' season in the third round of the 1A playoffs.
“Too many walks. That was the bottom line,” said Coach Chris Schuster.
In the opener, Resurrection jumped out to a 6-0 lead with five runs in the first and one in the second. Ethel scored two in the fourth and two more in the fifth. With two on in the seventh, senior Chris Schuster hit a long drive that was caught just short of the outfield fence.
Ethel's starting pitcher Alex Schuster fires a first inning strike to a Resurrection hitter. Jeff Parks / The Star-Herald
“That's how close we were to winning the game,” said Coach Schuster.
The Tigers out-hit the Eagles 8-4. Hayden Graves and Cyrus Rone had two hits each. Miller Kay had the big hit for Resurrection, a two-run double in the first.
Back at home for Game 2, Ethel took a 5-2 lead with three in the fifth, but the Eagles responded with three in the sixth, aided by three walks, and scored the winning run in the seventh. A hit batter led to the seventh inning run.
Ethel had a 7-2 edge in hits, led by Graves with a single, a double, and two RBIs. Tyler Weaver had two hits, an RBI and a run scored, and Schuster doubled and scored a run.
The loss ended a season that saw the Tigers finish first in Region 5-1A and sweep playoff series against Lumberton and Sebastopol.
Ethel's J.B. McBride puts the ball in play against Resurrection Catholic. Jeff Parks / The Star-Herald
“I challenged the guys with the schedule we had and they answered the call. We were ready for whoever was in front of us,” Schuster said. “In baseball, sometimes the ball bounces your way and sometimes it doesn't.”
There were four seniors in the starting lineup – Graves, Schuster, Reeves Threadgill and J.B. McBride.
“We have a pretty good young group,” Schuster said. “We're still going to win some games. It's going to come down to making a few plays when we get to the playoffs to see how far we can go.”
There are seven freshmen on this year's team.
“Three years from now when they are all seniors, we're going to be really good,” said the coach.
There is one more high school game for three seniors. Graves, Threadgill, and Schuster were all chosen for the South team for the Crossroads Diamond Club D.M. Howie 1A/2A All Star Game, and Chris Schuster will be one of the South coaches.
The game is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday, June 12, at William Carey College in Hattiesburg.
Ethel designated hitter Tyler Weaver rips a base hit to left center field. Jeff Parks / The Star-Herald
