Lemoore's season ends in 5-1 loss at Porterville in Division III baseball playoffs

Saturday, May 16, 2015 - 8:32am By Ed Martin, Editor

Cameon Dominguez slides back to first base in Friday's game against Hanford.

Photo Courtesy Nancy Silva

Lemoore’s varsity boys’ baseball team, going into the last week of the regular season, needed to win at least one of two games to earn a trip to the Division III playoffs. The Tigers managed to win both games, including a 12-3 win over Golden West on Wednesday which assured Lemoore of at least a .500 record and a playoff berth. Unfortunately the Tigers will were forced to hit the road on Friday for their playoff opener at Porterville High School. Despite jumping out to a 1-0 lead, Lemoore lost its playoff opener 5-1, ending the Tigers' season.

Lemoore entered the playoffs with a bit more momentum, coming from behind to beat Hanford in the regular season finale 6-5 on Friday in Lemoore.

Division III Playoff Bracket

Lemoore, which went on an early-season rampage, compiling a pre-season 12-1 record before entering the Fresno Easter Classic. Since that time the Tigers fortunes have gone downhill. Lemoore found the going tough in the demanding West Yosemite League and fell to 4-8 in league play and 15-13 overall.

The Tigers will open the Division III playoffs with a game on Wednesday against an opponent to be determined.

In Wednesday’s game against the Trailblazers Austin Murietta turned in a solid pitching performance, holding the Blazers to just three runs while his teammates exploded at the plate.

On Friday the Tigers were forced to come from behind to beat Hanford 6-5. Bristol Hitchman, in the bottom of the seventh with the base loaded, stroked a hit to bring home the winning runs. He more than earned his stripes Friday with fifth-inning double to drive home three runs and hand his Tigers a 5-1 lead.

Lemoore's season ends in 5-1 loss at Porterville in Division III baseball playoffs

Athletics