Tigers thrill local fans with run in bottom of the seventh to defeat Hanford 4-3. Open playoffs Wednesday against Mission Prep
The Tigers, who have played well all season, finished the regular season at 18-7 and 12-3 in the demanding West Yosemite League. Tulare Western, probably due to its pair of wins over the Tigers in the season’s final three games, found itself atop the WYL.
The Tigers won’t have to play Tulare again. The Mustangs are the No. 6 seed in the Division I playoffs which began on May 19.
It came down to the final inning when Lemoore scored the game's last run to defeat the Bullpups 4-3. The Bullpups took the early lead, scoring three times in the first inning, but Tiger pitching held Hanford scoreless the rest of the way as Tiger batters managed to score a run in the third, two in the fifth, and the final run in the bottom of the seventh inning to spoil the Bullpups’ hopes.
It was in the bottom of the seventh when Tiger batter Andrew Mora lined a single to advance baserunner Dominick Najar to third base. Moments later, Najar scored the winning run.
Assuming the Tigers get past Mission Prep in the Div. II opener, Lemoore will host the No. 12 Lompoc Braves. The top-ranked team in Division II is Bakersfield Christian, and it will tangle with No. 16 seed San Joaquin Memorial in its opener on Wednesday.
Hanford (15-12 overall and 10-5 in the WYL) will join Tulare in the Division I playoffs. The Bullpups, ranked No. 16, will face No. 1 Bullard on Wednesday in Fresno.
