The DeKalb County Tigers baseball team has made an amazing rebound late in the season, going into district tournament play on fire and landing themselves in the championship game against rival Upperman. The late wins have also guaranteed a spot in region play.

The Tigers first rebound came on Wednesday, May 1, as they took on White County. The Warriors would get on the board first at the top of the second with one run, but the Tigers would come to life at the bottom of the third.

With two outs on the board, Brayden Carter singled on a grounder to the pitcher, followed by a triple line drive to right by Dallas Kirby. DeKalb was on the board, 1-1.

They would do even better at the bottom of the fourth after a single by Evan Prichard, then a double by Carson Donnell. Braxton Cantrell would then single on a line drive to left as Andrew Dakas, running for Prichard, and Donnell each came home. Konner Young and later Carter took an HBP, followed by a single by Kirby as Cantrell scored. Westin Wright then hit a hard grounder and reach on an error by short as Young came home. DeKalb was up 5-1.

DeKalb would seal the game at the bottom of the sixth, with runs by Wright, Donnell, and Dakas. The game would go to the top of the seventh, but the Tigers would take the 8-1 win.

The following night, the Tigers were back in action, this time facing the Upperman bees. The Bees would sting early, scoring one at the bottom of the first, three in the third, three more in the fourth, and one in the fifth.

The Tigers would not see a single run until the top of the seventh, when Kirby, Wright, and Donnell each came away with a run. That would be all DeKalb could muster with Upperman taking the 8-3 win.

On Friday, May 3, the Tigers were back on the field, this time facing Cumberland County. DeKalb would score first, scoring one run at the bottom of the first, with Young scoring after a single grounder to center by Wright.

The Jets tied the game at the top of the third, with one run, but DeKalb bounced right back, after Ty Webb hit a grounder and reached on an error at short. He would later advance to third after tagging up on a line out to right by Carter, then would steal home on a wild pitch as Kirby was up to bat. The Tigers were up 2-1.

At the bottom of the fourth, DeKalb would start pulling away. After singles by Donnell and Cantrell, and Webb reaching on a bunt and an error by the catcher, the bases were loaded. Donnell would steal his way home as Young was up to bat, then Young singled on a line drive to center, sending Webb and Cantrell home. The Tigers had a 5-1 lead.

Cumberland scored one run at the top of the sixth, then the Tigers would go up would add one more of their own. Donnell singled on a grounder to short, followed by a single by Cantrell. Both would move up a base as Ty Webb sacrificed to the pitcher, then Young would get a walk. As Tucker Webb was up to bat, Donnell scored on a wild pitch. The Tigers had a 6-2 lead.

Cumberland would manage one last run, scored on a dropped third strike in the seventh, but DeKalb claimed the 6-3 victory.

On Saturday, the Tigers were back at it, this time taking on old foe White County. The Warriors would strike first with one run at the top of the first and another at the top of the third, but DeKalb would soon take control.

At the bottom of the third, Young singled on a line drive to left, but would be caught at second after a grounder by Ty Webb. Carter took an HBP, then Kirby doubled on a line drive to left, sending Dakas and Carter across the plate. Wright would next single on a line drive to left as Kirby scored, then Prichard reached on a grounders and error by first as Wright scored. The Tigers were up 4-2.

White County scored once more in the fourth, but DeKalb would start to pull away at their next at bat. After Webb took an HBP, Young walked, later followed by Carter with a hard grounder and reaching on an error by second. Kirby stepped up next and hit a triple line drive to center, as Webb, Young and Carter scored. The Tigers took the 7-3 lead.

Webb and Cantrell would each score runs in the fifth, then Kirby and Ben Driver would touch home in the sixth. DeKalb would hang on for the 11-3 victory.

Later that day, the Tigers would battle once again, this time against Stone Memorial. The game would end close, decided by just one run late in the game.

The Tigers scored first with two runs at the top of the first. Young and Dakas would each score for DeKalb.

Stone would get on the board with one run at the bottom of the inning, then would seemingly have the game in hand at the bottom of the second with six runs. DeKalb was down 7-2.

The Tigers were far from down and out, and would keep withing striking distance at the top of the third. After a walk for Kirby, he would come home after a double fly to right by Wright. Prichard would then walk, and later Wright would come home after a single fly to right by Cantrell. DeKalb cut the lead, 7-4.

DeKalb would cut the lead even closer at the top of the fourth. Webb reached on a grounder and error at third, followed by a double line drive to right by Carter as Dakas, running for Webb, scored. Kirby was up next and also double on a line drive to left as Carter came home. The lead was narrowed, 7-6.

The Tigers would take the lead at the top of the sixth, after Webb singled on a grounder to center, followed by a grounder and error at second for Carter. Wright would later single on a line drive to left, sending Dakas, in for Webb and Carter across the plate. DeKalb was on top, 8-7.

At the top of the seventh, the Tigers would cushion their lead with another run. Donnell doubled on a line drive to left, and would take third after a sacrifice by Cantrell. Webb then singled on a fly to left, sending Donnell home. DeKalb held a narrow 9-7 lead.

It would come down to the bottom of the seventh. The Panthers would get two on with early singles, then score on a sacrifice fly to right. With one out, Stone had cut the lead, 9-8. The next hit would ground out to third, then another to fielder’s choice at short. The Tigers would get off the field and claim the 9-8 victory.

The Tigers would move on to the Championship game against Upperman on Monday, May 6, and would be guaranteed a game in the regions.