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American Tigers finish second at TOC
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Garret Shamgochian of the Tigers started in Thursday’s TOC title game against the Atwater Cardinals. The Tigers lost, 6-0 (EDDIE RUIZ/The Journal).

Six games in six days was the storyline for the Majors’ Tigers team from Turlock American Little League in this past week’s Tournament of Champions from Soderquist Field.

The season came to a close on Thursday in the TOC finale against the Atwater Cardinals after the Tigers were shutout 6-0 — but it didn’t end without praise and admiration for the run these kids made under difficult circumstances.

“It is what it is… six games straight in six days. They had to win four and we ran out of gas, everyone was tired, we went in and had a great time,” said Tigers head coach Todd Feldman.  “They stayed and clapped for the other team, proud of our kids. They were guaranteed 16 games and they played 27 games… they are the best team in Turlock American and in Turlock and from Turlock to Yosemite, the second best, not a shabby season.”

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Tristan Patterson of the Tigers played in his second game and got the final hit of Thursday’s TOC title game for his team as they fell to Atwater (EDDIE RUIZ/The Journal).

The Tigers beat Mariposa in the first round, which then setup a city championship rematch in the second round between the Tigers and the Giants from Turlock National Little League.

The Giants handed the Tigers their first loss of the tournament after a 5-3 final on Sunday.

This set up the Tigers for a chance at a comeback, but they would need to win out for the remainder of the week.

They started off by winning on Monday over Yosemite, 13-1.

Following their first-round win, the Tigers then met the Dodgers from Los Banos and beat them on Tuesday, 10-1.

After the big win and a Giants loss to Atwater on Tuesday, a rematch was set once again, for the third time in less than two weeks.

In this intense matchup on Wednesday, both teams looked hungry to win and for a chance at Atwater for the TOC title.

The Tigers came out on top in a close game, 7-6, earning a spot in the TOC finale.

Playing in their sixth game in a row, with multiple games played reaching the triple digit mark on the thermometer, the Tigers looked like they ran out of steam against the Atwater Cardinals and fell, 6-0.

 “I am very proud of the kids, could not have asked for a better group of kids. They all worked hard and nobody cried afterwards, they weren’t happy they lost, but took it like men and showed class and that is what mattered to me.”