Tuesday, May 31, 2022 - 12:24pm By The Leader Staff
The Tigers played well in their Saturday Division IV title game at Fresno State, but the fell short, losing 5-3 to Madera South.
The Tigers played well in their Saturday Division IV title game at Fresno State, but the fell short, losing 5-3 to Madera South.
Photo by Raymond Madrigal

After surprising local baseball fans with their late-season heroics, Lemoore’s varsity boys’ baseball team nearly made it to the “mountain top.” The Tigers, after struggling somewhat during the regular – compiling a 13-19 regular-season record and a 6-9 West Yosemite League mark – still managed to find themselves in the Division IV playoffs, where they pitched and hit well enough to win three straight playoff wins before sadly losing Saturday in the Division IV title game at Fresno State.

In that game, against Madera South, the Tigers had their chances at victory, but Madera South managed to hang on for a 5-3 win.

After losing 5-4 to Hanford in the WYL final on May 12, the Tigers suddenly found themselves battering the baseball, erupting for 13 runs against Dos Palos in a 13-12 win in the opening playoff rounds.

Lemoore High Coach Izzy Gonzalez watches the action from the dugout at Pete Beiden Field.
Lemoore High Coach Izzy Gonzalez watches the action from the dugout at Pete Beiden Field.
Photo by Raymond Madrigal

Then, in another road playoff game, Lemoore knocked off Washington Union 7-3 in round 2. The Tigers then got a trip home, where they defeated Garces Memorial 8-3, thus earning a shot at the Division IV title against Madera South at Fresno State on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Lemoore had its chances in the finale at Beiden Field, taking a 2-0 lead in the second inning before giving up three runs in the top of the fourth. Both Madera and the Tigers picked up a run in the fifth – Madera South with the 4-3 advantage.

The Tigers failed to score in the final two innings as Madera won the title 5-3.

“We had opportunities to win. We didn’t capitalize,”  said Tiger Coach Izzy Gonzalez. “A couple of mistakes that we made defensively changed the momentum.”

In one inning, an error – that could have been the third out in the inning – allowed Madera South to stay on base. Madera capitalized on the mistake with a double, driving in two runs in the fourth inning.

“We played very well in the postseason. I’m proud of my boys,” said Gonzalez.

Jess Tischmacher started the game on the mound for the Tigers and pitched five innings for Lemoore. 

Surprising Tigers fall 5-3 to Madera South in Beiden Field Division IV baseball thriller