Independence keeps Tigers in check

Fort Scott third baseman Benjamin Labbe tries to recover after a throw to him went wild during the first game of a doubleheader with Independence at Lions Field Tuesday evening. Not much went right for the Tigers, who were outscored 19-0 in the doubleheader while picking up just 2 hits and committing 5 errors. (Kenny Felt/Special to the Tribune)

Fort Scott High School head baseball coach Josh Regan felt like his team was unprepared for Tuesday's Southeast Kansas League doubleheader at Lions Field following an 11-day layoff between games.

And he wants you to know that's all on him.

"We were playing our best baseball against Pittsburg (April 5)," Regan said. "We had a week and a half off and it was my job to make sure that we maintained that spark, that same pop. And I totally failed in that regard and I'll take that."

The Tigers (2-2 SEK, 3-4 overall) lost game one 9-0 and the nightcap 10-0 in five innings. The only hits they had were Zach Denton singles that led off the bottom of the first inning of each game.

Fort Scott committed 5 errors in the doubleheader that led to 5 unearned runs. And Regan had to use four pitchers, being mindful that the Tigers have to play another league twinbill on Friday against Labette County at Lions Field.

"The fact is that was my job to make sure we didn't fall off and we absolutely did," Regan said. "So I'll take that."

The first game was nearly even for the first four innings. Tiger pitcher Justin Uhler allowed just one unearned run on one hit through the first four and it looked as though a pitcher's dual was on.

But whereas Uhler was keeping the ball low and getting grounders early on, the pitches started to rise and the league-leading Bulldogs (6-0, 7-0) started belting line drives. Indy scored 5 times in the fifth, twice in the sixth and once in the seventh.

The Tigers had the bases loaded on walks with 2 out in the bottom of the fifth but Dalton Shaffer, who allowed 6 walks while striking out 8, got a grounder back to himself to end the threat.

"Our boys battled," Regan said. "We hit some balls hard but right at them in big spots and I think we got a little bit snake bit. It just wasn't our night. But I challenged them to come back (today) ready to work and I'm coming back (today) ready to work and we'll get this ship back on course and we'll be fine."

Indy scored 6 runs in the second inning of the nightcap to back up Dustin Oliver, who walked 3 and struck out 5. Three in the fifth brought the 10-run rule into effect.

Game One

Fort Scott...... 000 000 0 -- 0 1 3

WP -- Shaffer. LP -- Uhler.

HR -- None.

Game Two

Fort Scott...... 000 00x x -- 0 1 2

WP -- Oliver. LP -- Moore.

HR -- None.