Galion’s second baseman Mac Spears and rightfielder Will Donahue nearly gave their head baseball coach Phil Jackson a heart attack when they collided after attempting to catch a ball at the top of the seventh inning Monday.
But the Tigers were able to pull off a 4-2 victory over conference foe Pleasant.
“We’re not where we need to be,” Jackson said.
The game was a continuation from earlier last month that was suspended due to heavy rain. Galion already had a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Leftfielder Ryan Talbott crossed the home plate to tally a 3-0 lead for the Tigers at the end of the same inning.
The Tigers scored again in the fifth inning after Tyler Castline crossed the home plate.
Pleasant head coach Chris Kubbs said it was tough going into the game 2-0. But he commended Bryce Pytlarz and Chase Ambrose for their pitching.
Pytlarz allowed six hits, one earned run, three walks and four strikeouts, while Ambrose, who pitched for an inning, took the loss with two strikeouts.
Matt Hardy, who pitched for the first four innings, allowed three hits and earned two runs. He had four walks and three strikeouts, while winning pitcher Garret Kuns had a walk and a strikeout.
Jackson said he was proud of their performance. He added that both teams had to overcome a tough “strike zone” set by the umpires.
Offensively, the Tigers were at bat 23 times with six hits, two runs batted in and three walks, while the Spartans were at bat 25 times with three hits, two RBIs and five walks.
Galion improved its record 8-6 in the Mid Ohio Athletic Conference and 9-9 overall.
The team will host to play Margaretta in the sectionals on May 12.
