EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – The Tigers hit a rough patch of varsity baseball last week. Playing in the Northland Tournament, Excelsior Springs went 0-4, falling to Oak Park, North Kansas City, Liberty and St. Joseph Central. Oak Park jumped out to an early lead against junior starting pitcher Mason Danner en route to a 6-1 win over the Tigers April 11. Danner lasted three innings, giving up six runs, two earned, along with six hits and a walk. Junior Broc Dusek threw the final four innings, allowing no runs. Dusek and freshman Ryne Marcum picked up two hits, with junior Brendan Blackburn adding a single and an RBI. The Tigers got into a slugfest in their 11-9 loss to North Kansas City April 12. The Hornets grabbed a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning against junior starter Lucas Dillman. The Tigers scratched out a run in the bottom of the first, when Marcum led off with a single and was driven in by freshman catcher ...