The McKenzie Tigers stand 2-1 on the year after splitting two games against Pleasant Home and Hillcrest-Evergreen, respectively.

The Tigers lost 8-2 to Pleasant Home.

The loss to Pleasant Home was a bitter pill to swallow, said head coach Mike Bass, mainly because of poor base running.

“We didn’t run the bases well…terrible base running,” said Bass. “They were up 6-0 and we came back. It was a game we could have very well ended up winning.”

The Tigers rebounded to take a 7-4 win over Hillcrest-Evergreen on Friday as freshman Dustin Moorhead came in as relief for starter Dustin Shell to earn the save.

It was a tough situation for Moorhead, said Bass, who entered the game with the bases loaded in the sixth inning, but surrendered only one run.

“We just found out he could pitch,” said Bass of his starting shortstop. “He came in and just threw fastballs. He can throw a curve, but I think he was a little nervous since it was his first time pitching.”

Shell earned the win, walking six and striking out nine. Moorhead walked five and struck out three in an inning and two-thirds of work.

Both Moorhead and Shell aided the Tigers’ cause at the plate. Moorhead had two singles and an RBI, while Shell drove in two runs with a single. Freddie Banks, Melvin Owens and Roscoe Moorhead each had hits in a three-run fifth inning for the Tigers.

Monday, McKenzie plays Butler County Magnet School in an area contest. A win in Georgiana and the Tigers lock up a spot in the Class 1A playoffs, said Bass.