By Myra Bean
The South Panola Tiger baseball team traveled to Gulfport for a two-day tournament last weekend.
The Tigers (2-2) exited the tournament after winning one of two very tight, intense games.
Saturday morning matched David Renfroe of South Panola versus Ridgeland’s Casey Lavender.

In what Tiger head coach Patrick Robey called a “pitcher’s duel,” Ridgeland was able to score two unearned runs to beat the Tigers 2-1.

“Renfroe pitched a very strong complete game allowing only four hits while striking out 10,” Robey said. “Costly errors were the story of the first game.”

The Tigers got four hits in the game. Renfroe was one for two. Ryan Maxwell, Tyler Benson and Wesley Gregg were one for three. Gregg hit an RBI single for the team’s only score.

The second game of the day had a better outcome for the Tigers.

“Colton Ales pitched a tremendous game as the Tigers held on to win 3-2 over 15th ranked Gulfport,” Robey said.

Ales pitched the complete game in seven innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs.

Joseph Blair went two for three and hit his first homerun of the season, which turned out to be the winning run in the third inning.

South Panola had four hits in this game also, two in the first inning and one in the third.

Matt Hendrix was one for three with a single. Renfroe was one for two with a double.

Gulfport boasted Dandy Dozen hitter Nick Ray. Ales struck him out two times when he had runners in key scoring positions.

Friday night’s game with Longbeach was rained out.        

The Tigers are back on the road tonight in Cleveland for non-district action. They return home Friday to host Olive Branch in non-district action. All games are 5 and 7 p.m. beginning with the junior varsity game.

Saturday, the Tigers will be on the road for late morning, early afternoon games in Byhalia at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and an early evening game at Independence at 5 p.m.