Tigers clinch playoff spot

Troup coach Cal Sparks celebrates Friday as the Tigers nipped Garrison 2-1 and clinched a playoff spot.

Troup clinched a playoff berth Friday as the Tigers rallied to beat Garrison, 2-1.

The Tigers were in third place going into the Garrison contest, with rival Arp challenging for the third-place spot if the Tigers lost their last two games.

The win over Garrison assured the Tigers of a playoff spot.

"We knew that it was going to be a good game; fortunately, we were able to come away with the win," said head coach Cal Sparks. "We played solid defense and pitched well and had a couple of timely hits."

The Tigers grabbed the goahead run in the bottom of the fifth. Austin Braswell doubled and then came home on a single by Preston Pittinger.

The Bulldogs had two more at-bats to work with, but tight defense by the Tigers prevented another run.

Right-fielder Chance Tosh made a perfect throw to catcher Cody Deese to prevent a run in the sixth inning, while Jordan Jackson secured the game's final out, reeling in a deep fly ball to left field.

Center fielder Daniel Dick also made two nice running catches in the game.

Adam Voigt went the distance on the mound, allowing five hits.

Garrison got on the scoreboard first, taking advantage of good base running to go ahead 1-0 in the second inning.

Troup scored its first run in the bottom of the fourth thanks to an RBI single from Voigt.

The win improved the Tigers record to 9-4 and, more importantly, secured a playoff berth.

The Tigers were tied for second with Garrison going into Tuesday's home game with Arp. (See Page 8A.)