MARYSVILLE — Sam Watson’s fifth-inning double proved to be the decisive blow to earn the Tigers the minor’s championship.

In the 5-4 victory over the Braves June 19, the Tigers finished their season 12-5-2, and won eight of their final 10 games to cap a tremendous run.

“We had a great group of kids, parents, coaches and competitors this season,” said coach John Natterstad. “I’m really proud of how coachable our kids and supportive our parents were.”

The Tigers got started early with a run from Joe McCoy, who singled and later stole home.

The Braves took the lead, however, in the bottom of the first, scoring a pair.

“The Braves were an outstanding, well-coached team,” Natterstad said.

But Watson nailed a double in the third to score McCoy and Dawson Everitt to re-take the lead, 3-2.

The Tigers stretched their lead by another run in the fourth when Daniel Kiesz tripled and scored on a passed ball.

The Braves would tie the game in the fifth, but McCoy scored his third run of the game off Watson’s double to earn the win.

Tigers pitchers Kiesz and Everitt each pitched three innings, and combined for 11 strike outs.