Tigers cold in 11-1 loss to Storm Lake

The Tigers had just three hits and Storm Lake scored eight runs in the final two innings Wednesday, handing Spencer an 11-1 Lakes Conference loss.

"I didn't think we were very aggressive when we had hitters' counts tonight. We let a lot of pitches go by against a pitcher who had a fastball that was not overpowering," said Spencer head coach Brian Dirkx, whose hitters struck out looking four times. "We watched a lot of two strike pitches, especially with runners in scoring position."

Spencer scored its lone run in the second inning on an RBI single from sophomore Dillon Schulz, who had two of the Tigers' hits.

"We're just going to keep working on the basics, the things that we know will help us be good hitters," Dirkx commented. "A lot of kids will be coming in early and getting some extra time. The kids that have put in the extra time, it's starting to show. Some other kids are real close."

Tim Juza, who has lived up to his billing as Spencer's ace with a 2.42 ERA entering Wednesday's game, had an uncharacteristic outing in his fifth start of the year. The senior right-hander worked into the sixth inning, giving up 10 runs on 10 hits. He walked one, hit two and struck out one.

"Tim didn't have his best stuff tonight ... but there were times where we could have helped him out. We had four chances for double plays, and they were all routine plays where Tim wouldn't have had to to that extra batter or two per inning," Dirkx said.

"Tim showed a lot of perseverance. He was competing until I took him out. That's what I would expect out of a senior, and that's what he expects of himself."

Storm Lake led 1-0 after the first inning and upped its lead to 3-1 in the third on a 2-run single from Nolan Cone.

Cone, Storm Lake's starting pitcher, added an RBI single in the Tornadoes' 3-run fifth. Jeff Kofmehl added an RBI triple and Michael McCabe had a run-scoring single.

Storm Lake scored five more runs in the sixth, including a walk-off 2-run double from Kofmehl. McCabe added an RBI single and Courtney Goodchild had a 2-run single in the sixth.

Cone tossed a complete game, walking five and striking out seven. Spencer left six men on base.

"Way too many strikeouts against a pitcher who, at times, really struggled," Dirkx said. "We did do a good job of drawing walks. Sometimes you can have nights where you don't have a lot of hits, but guys are striking the ball well. Last week, when we got a couple wins, we were putting the ball in play and forcing the defense to make a play."

Spencer, who is off until Sunday at the Carroll Kuemper Tournament, drops to 6-9 overall and 4-5 in the Lakes Conference. The Tigers return to league play Monday when they host Le Mars.