Tigers are in hunt

    FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — The Tiger baseball team has proven to this point in the season that the game is not over until the final out has been recorded.
Eight games into the season, the Tigers have compiled a 5-3 record, and of those eight games, five have been decided in the last at-bat. The Tigers pulled off a win over Madawaska with a walk-off RBI single by Jon Bernard, another over Wisdom on a walk-off RBI hit by Dalton Cassidy and most recently, a walk-off steal of home by Ryan Pelkey against previously-undefeated Southern Aroostook.
They also own a 10-0 win over rival Central Aroostook and a 20-7 victory over Ashland. Of the Tigers’ three losses thus far, in two of them (against Limestone and Washburn), they were tied or led late in the game.
“There is no quit in these guys,” said coach John Ala, who is assisted by Mark Dillon. “They don’t give up and they continue to play hard through the end of every game.”
Only four players return from last year’s team, which finished with a very solid 11-3 record. Early on, numbers were an issue for the Tigers, but the players who have come out are committed to working hard and playing solid team ball
The senior class is represented by centerfielder/pitcher Noah Bernard, second baseman Carter Shaw and first baseman Pelkey. All are providing solid leadership, which has been very important given the youthfulness of the team.
Griffin Robles is the lone junior and has been used to fill spots all over the field as needed.
Thomas Krause is a sophomore and he is seeing action both in the infield and outfield as needed. Krause also pitched a solid seven innings against Southern Aroostook to keep the Tigers close in the eventual win. Sophomore Josh Ricker is holding down third base, while classmate Cassidy is outstanding behind the plate at catcher.
The Tigers are also getting great contributions from the freshman class with Seth Cote in the outfield, Carter Bruce in right field, Bernard in left field and Ryan Player at short. Bruce, Bernard and Player are also taking their turns on the mound and have improved each time out.
Overall, Ala is excited by how things have gone so far.
“As young as we are, we will only get better every time out,” he said. “The boys play hard and have done whatever I have asked of them.”