CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK — Brandon “Chippy” Grimes rounds third on his way to score during Saturday’s doubleheader against the Calhoun County Red Devils.

If anyone wanted to see exciting action on the diamonds Saturday, Tyler Consolidated was the place to be.

The Silver Knights split a doubleheader over the weekend against LKC foe Calhoun County with both games being decided in the final at-bat.

It took both teams a couple of innings to get the bats warmed up, but once they did, it was a pitcher’s nightmare the rest of the day.

The proverbial fire was kept under control in the first game, however, with the Red Devils taking a 5-3 decision for their first win of the season.

After the visitors took a 3-0 lead in the fourth after scoring two runs, Tyler Consolidated finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the frame when Zach Perkey and Brandon Grimes circled the bases.

The Devils scored a single run in both of the next two innings to increase the deficit to three again, but the Knights stayed in the game with Perkey scoring again in the sixth.

Tyler Consolidated proceeded to hold off Calhoun County in the top of the seventh and threaten to tie the game in their last at-bat by putting five runners on base.

The Silver Knights even had some bases loaded opportunities, but could not convert as Perkey hit a 3-4 ground out to end the game.

The Devils gave up only two hits to the Knights in the game, both coming by way of Garrett Amos on a single and double. Zack Minger took the loss after going the complete game with seven strikeouts.

Between games, Coach Scott Wall mentioned to his team that he was impressed that they put themselves in a position to win at the end of the game and wanted to send Calhoun County home early with a mercy-rule decision in Game 2.

It almost happened.

The Silver Knights came out firing on all cylinders and inundated the Red Devils with 12 runs in the first three innings, including batting around in the third and scoring six runs.

After giving up a run in the fourth, Tyler Consolidated had the opportunity to close out the game in the fifth, but Calhoun County heated up and stayed alive by scoring five runs in both the fifth and sixth innings while the Knights held on to their now slim advantage with solo runs in the fifth and sixth.

In the seventh, the Red Devils made the comeback complete plating three runs. But it would be the hosts that would have the last word.

With no outs and Brody Northcraft on base, Zack Minger provided a game-winning single as the speedy Northcraft crossed the dish to give the Knights a 15-14 win as they improved to 5-8.

Minger finished the game going 3-5 with two doubles, three RBI, and three runs scored. Northcraft went 2-5 with a set of RBIs.

Perkey had an impressive game going 2-3 with a three-run home run and a double for five RBI and a pair of runs scored. The round tripper was his sixth of the season.

Zach Knowlton went 2-4 with three RBI, Michael Cochran singled twice and scored twice, Garrett Amos had a bases-loaded triple, Brandon Grimes singled and scored a run, and Blaise Rice tallied an RBI to round out the Silver Knights’ cavalry.

As a result of Minger’s walk-off hit, Rice picked up the win in an interesting day for the Tyler Consolidated battery.

He pitched the first 4.1 innings before Dalton Wells came on in relief for an inning as Rice stayed in the game at a different position.

After he got into trouble on the mound, Rice was brought back onto the mound in the sixth, this time with Grimes taking over the catching duties.

Amos, who also stayed in the game by switching positions, went back behind the plate in the seventh to round out the game.

Rice finished with four strikeouts.

TCHS 3, ST. MARYS 4

Because of poor weather conditions, Tyler Consolidated was able to get only one other game in during the week, a Friday night contest with rival St. Marys.

The Knights appeared to be in control taking a 3-0 lead into the final inning of play, but St. Marys pulled off the comeback with four runs in their last at-bat.

Tyler Consolidated scored their first run in the second inning after Brandon Grimes crossed home plate on an RBI single by Garrett Amos.

Grimes reached on an error before stealing second base.

In the sixth inning, Michael Cochran was hit by a pitch and Zack Minger walked.

Both players were in scoring position after stealing second and third.

Grimes then hit a line-drive to the short stop, but the ball bounced off the glove of the Blue Devils defender and into the outfield allowing Cochran and Minger to score.

Minger was the tough-luck losing pitcher in this game as he came in relief in the seventh inning looking for the save. Perkey was in line for the win after going six innings with seven strikeouts.

St. Marys scored all four runs were unearned as a result of three errors on the Silver Knights defense.