It was a tough week for the DeKalb County High School Tigers baseball team, falling to Upperman in a two-game series, then falling to Smith County in a close game.

On Monday, April 25, the Tigers were on their home field as they faced the Upperman Bees. It would be a pitcher’s game with the Bees taking the lead at the top of the first on an error Ty Webb.

Kolter Kilgore would reach for the Tigers on a single line drive to left field at the bottom of the second, but would be left standing.

At the top of the fifth, Upperman would score once again after a double line drive to center. Later, a runner would reach on a dropped third strike, and a Bee would score on a wild pitch. The Bees were up 2-0.

DeKalb could not gain any momentum in the game. Dexton Emberton would get a walk at the bottom of the fifth, and later Webb would reach on a dropped third strike as Emberton took third. It would be as far as they would advance.

At the bottom of the seventh, Kolter Kilgore hit a single line drive to center, then Emberton would take a base after a HBP. Once again, it would be as far as the Tigers could get. The Bees took the 2-0 win.

Avery South took the loss for DeKalb from the mound, surrendering two runs on five hits over seven innings, striking out seven.

The following day, DeKalb was on the road, this time traveling to Baxter to face the Upperman Bees on their home ground. This game would have a much more decisive outcome.

The Tigers went three and out to start the game, then the Bees would take the lead with two runs at the bottom of the inning.

Emberton would single on a line drive to left at the top of the second, then Grayson Hendrix reached on an error by third, then Emerton would take third and Hendrix second on the error. Both would be left on base as the Bees got off the field.

DeKalb would go three up, three down at the top of the third, then Upperman would add a run to their lead as they came to bat.

The Tigers would finally get on the board at the top of the fifth. Emerton would get a walk, then Hendrix sacrificed to the pitcher as Emberton took second. Ty Webb would get a walk, then Isaac Knowles singled on a ground ball to left as Emberton crossed home plate. It would be the only point for DeKalb in the game.

Upperman scored six more runs in the sixth, and capped off the score in the seventh with one more run. The Bees would claim the 10-1 win.

Patrick Cantrell took the loss from the mound, surrendering three runs on five hits over four innings, striking out eight.

On Thursday, April 28, the Tigers traveled to Carthage where they would take on the Owls. It would be a game that would go down to the very last play.

DeKalb would get on the board first at the top of the first. Knowles singled on a line drive to center, then Kilgore singled on a grounder to left. Avery South would fly out to left field, but Knowles would tag up and take third. Next, Patrick Cantrell grounded out to second, as Knowles crossed home plate. The Tigers were up, 1-0.

The Owls would go three and out at their first at bat, then DeKalb would add another run. Hendrix would reach on a grounder and an error by shortstop, then Ty Webb singled on a line drive to left as Hendrix advanced to third. As Dallas Kirby came to bat, Webb would be caught trying to steal second, but Kirby singled on a grounder to third as Hendrix scored. The Tigers were up 2-0.

Smith County would get into the game at the bottom of the second. With bases loaded, a single to the pitcher Emberton led to one run, then a fly out to center resulted in another runner scoring after tagging up. The game was tied 2-2.

The Tigers would retake the lead at the top of the third. Cantrell singled on a grounder to short, then Kilgore singled on a line drive to left. Emberton stepped up next and hit a single ground ball to right, allowing Cantrell to come home. DeKalb was back on top 3-2.

The Owls would pull ahead at the bottom of the fifth with four runs. After a couple of walks by Emberton, the runners would take third and second on a wild pitch. A runner would score on another wild pitch, then a single line out to center, resulted in another runner coming home. Another fly out to left resulted in an RBI, then a single to left had another runner scoring. By the time DeKalb got off the field, Smith led 6-3.

DeKalb fought back at the top of the fifth, tying the game. Cantrell tripled on a line drive to left, then Young grounded out to second as Cantrell scored. Emberton would then single on a grounder to center, followed by Hendrix with a single line drive to short. Webb would load the bases with a HBP, then Kirby would ground to third, as Emberton was caught at home. Knowles was next and hit a ground ball to third, reaching on an error as Webb and Hendrix scored. The game was tied 6-6.

DeKalb would reclaim the lead at the top of the sixth. Young singled on a line drive to center, followed by Emberton with a line drive to left. Hendrix would bunt and reach on an error by the pitcher, as Young and Emberton scored. The Tigers were back on top, 8-6.

The Owls would not go away and would tie the game once again 8-8 with two runs at the bottom of the sixth.

The game went to the seventh, and the Tigers once again regained the lead. Knowles reached on an error by first base, then Kilgore singled on a line drive to center, as Knowles rounded his way to third. South would ground to fielder’s choice at short and Knowles would be caught out trying to take home. Cantrell stepped to the plate and singled on a grounder to center, sending Kilgore home. DeKalb was up, 9-8.

The Owls stepped to the plate in the bottom of the seventh, and hit three singles in a row, loading the bases. Another single line drive to center Carson Donnell saw one runner score, then the winning run came home on the throw. The Owls had claimed the 10-9 victory.

Emberton threw for the Tigers, going three and two-thirds innings, allowing eight hits and six runs, striking out four. Knowles threw two and a third innings in relief.