Central Tigers Baseball Team Opens Season 1-1 Under New Coach

The Tigers split their first two games, winning their opener before suffering a run-rule loss.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 1:03am

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The Central Tigers baseball team opened the 2026 season with a 10-6 win over Warner in their first game under new head coach Colby Thompson. However, they followed that up with an 11-0 loss in four innings to the Checotah Wildcats.

Why it matters

The split in their first two games shows the Tigers have room for improvement as they adjust to a new coach, but the opening win suggests they have the potential to be competitive this season.

The details

In the win over Warner, the Tigers rallied from a 6-5 deficit in the fourth inning, scoring three runs in the fifth and two more in the seventh to secure the victory. Kaw-Liga Lewis, Paitton Merrill, and Tite Cox all had strong offensive performances. On the mound, Kiefer Bailey, Lewis, and Ryker Miller combined for the win, with Miller earning the save. In the loss to Checotah, the Tigers were no-hit by a combination of Mason Rainbolt and Eli Patterson, who struck out a total of eight batters. Ryker Miller took the loss on the mound for Central.

  • The Tigers won their season opener 10-6 at Warner on March 10.
  • The Tigers suffered an 11-0 four-inning, run-ruled loss to the host Checotah Wildcats last Friday afternoon.

The players

Colby Thompson

The new head coach of the Central Tigers baseball team.

Kaw-Liga Lewis

A player for the Central Tigers who was 2-for-4 with two doubles, two runs scored and a run batted in during the win over Warner.

Paitton Merrill

A player for the Central Tigers who was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI during the win over Warner.

Tite Cox

A player for the Central Tigers who doubled with an RBI in the win over Warner, and took the loss on the mound against Checotah.

Mason Rainbolt

The Checotah pitcher who struck out six batters in three innings against the Central Tigers.

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The takeaway

The Central Tigers' season-opening split demonstrates the team's potential but also the challenges they face in adapting to a new coach. As the season progresses, the Tigers will need to find consistency and build on their early success to compete in their league.