Exeter falls to Pierce City

Season underway Democrat Photo/Jared Lankford After a week of rain, Mother Nature provided a perfect day on Monday for the opening day of the 2011-12 baseball season for the Exeter Tigers. In the photo above, Colton Stringer throws out the first pitch of the season against Pierce City.

Anything that could go wrong did go wrong for the Tigers.

"Pierce City was not a 24-run more talented team than us," said Exeter coach Jay Allen. "They were more focused, fundamentally sound and prepared to play this game. We will be working really hard on the fundamentals in practice the next few days."

The Eagles struck early and often against Exeter scoring five runs in the first, 13 runs in the second, four runs in the third and two runs in the sixth.

The Tigers' Austin Johnson collected Exeter's only hit, a single in the fourth inning.

"I understand that we are a young team and going to face teams that are better than we are. I can except that," said Allen. "What I can't except is my team not exerting effort and staying focused on the field. We have a lot of work to do."

The Tigers will play Southwest on Thursday at home beginning 4:30 p.m.