Turning back Hermann’s Bearcats 7-4 for their first victory in three tries against them this spring, Bryce Gehlert’s Belle Tigers looked to continue their revenge tour with a victory Thursday night in the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Class 3, District 8 Tournament title game against Fatima’s Comets inside Belle City Park’s Tiger Field.

Falling 6-0 to their diamond foes from Westphalia earlier in the season, Gehlert’s squad was hunting for their second revenge win in a span of 96 hours.

Seeing a gamble back fire in the top of the first inning, Belle saw Fatima score single runs in the bottom of the first and third innings leading to an eventual 2-0 loss to the Comets ending their season at 11-12.

“You simply have to tip your hat to Fatima,” Gehlert said. “They made plays they needed to and we simply could not get that big hit when we needed it.”

As the visiting team due to being the third seed, Belle had the first chance to get on the scoreboard against the top-seeded Comets.

Garrett Gehlert and Gage Terrill worked back-to-back walks bringing Tiger junior catcher Hank Stratman to the plate.

Lacing a double to center field, Garrett Gehlert was sent past the third-base bag trying to score only to be thrown out at the plate for the first out of the inning.

Consecutive strikeouts ended the scoring threat keeping the game scoreless.

Two pitches into the bottom of the first inning, Fatima’s Bryce Wieberg hit a solo home run over the left-field fence giving Fatima an early 1-0 lead.

Tiger starter Ryder Butler settled down retiring three of the next four batters to limit the damage to a single run.

Butler worked his way out of more possible trouble in the bottom of the second inning.

Seeing the bases loaded on a double, a walk and single, Butler got out of the jam with an inning-ending fielder’s choice.

Belle’s next scoring chance came in the top of the third inning.

Gehlert drew a one-out walk only to see the inning end on a 6-4-3 double play.

Fatima doubled their lead in the bottom of the third inning on a walk and a single for a 2-0 advantage after three innings.

Scoring opportunities were limited the rest of the game.

Belle’s next chance came in the top of the fifth inning when Cooper Durbin ignited a two-out rally with a single before Glayden Woodruff walked to bring the potential go-ahead run to the plate.

After an inning-ending strikeout, Belle was down to their final six outs.

Moving from behind the plate to the pitching rubber, Stratman made the Comets strand six base runners over four innings of relief pitching.

Retired in order over the final two innings of the game, Belle saw their district-runner up season end at 11-12 following a 2-0 loss to Fatima.

Butler took the loss allowing two runs on four hits and two walks to go with a strikeout.

Stratman pitched four innings of scoreless relief allowing four hits and no walks to go with five strikeouts.

Garrett Gehlert drew a team-high two walks for Belle while Stratman and Durbin spoiled Fatima’s bid for a no-hitter with a hit apiece.

Fatima looked to advance further in the MSHSAA Class 3 postseason in sectional action last night (Tuesday) on the road at North Callaway.