The Mount Pleasant Tigers dropped two games last week to push their losing streak to three but with three games left to play, Mount Pleasant’s playoff goals remain intact. The Tigers fell to Hallsville at home 12-5 before losing at Longview on Thursday 7-2. With a current district record of 5-4, the Tigers need to win at least two of their remaining three games to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

 

Hallsville 12

Mount Pleasant 5

Battling the elements last Tuesday as storms moved through the area, the Tigers hoped to take another win against last year’s state-finalist Bobcats. Hallsville jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first, but Mount Pleasant responded with a three-run bottom half to take the early lead. The Bobcats would strike again in the top of the fourth with three runs to retake the lead 5-3. A lone run by the Tigers in the bottom of the fourth would cut the lead to 5-4 but that would be as close as the home team would get. Hallsville would tack on two more runs in the fifth and put up a five spot in the seventh to run away with the win. Keller Thompson led the Tigers at the dish going 3-for-3 including a home run and double with 2 runs scored, 3 RBI, and a stolen base. Skyler Nelson also drove in a run with an RBI double and Mason McMinn finishing 1-for-3 with an RBI. Drew Dyke took the loss on the mound striking out 4 but giving up 8 hits, 5 earned run, and 5 walks.

 

Longview 7

Mount Pleasant 2

The Tigers looked to get back in the win column after previously beating the Lobos 12-6 at home in the first round of district. But Longview struck early and never looked back controlling the game from the first inning on. The Lobos scored four runs in the bottom of the first before adding two more in the fourth and another run in the fifth to take a commanding 7-0 lead. Mount Pleasant would try to make something happen in their last at bat but could only push across two runs to make the score 7-2. Jacob Bristow notched two of the Tigers’ three hits on the night, all of which were singles. Bristow and Harrison Wall each had an RBI. Starting pitcher Keller Thompson lasted just two-thirds as control was an issue with six walks leading to four earned runs. Bristow took over and was solid the rest of the way striking out 7 but the damage had already been done.

 

The Tigers will host Texas High on Friday as they look to avenge a 14-5 loss from earlier this season with first pitch set for 7:00 PM. A road game at Marshall next Tuesday and then the final regular season game versus Pine Tree at home the following Friday will close out the district schedule.

 

By Drew Barkley
Photos by John Whitten