CLICK HERE for updated team and player statistics through Game #5. The Illinois Celtics defeated the Warriors by a score of 4-3 in seven innings at Centennial #4 on Tuesday night.
The Celtics struck first with three runs in the top of the first inning. The damage could have been much worse as the Celtics had three hits, two walks and reached base on an error in the inning. But, Ryan Novak struck out the final hitter of the inning as the Celtics left the bases loaded to keep the Warriors in the game.
The Warriors scored a run in the bottom of the frame when Tim Prendergast drew a walk with the bases loaded. But, the Warriors did not take advantage of two hits and two walks--leaving the bases loaded to end the inning with just one run scored.
The Warriors' starting pitcher, Ryan Novak, settled in and did not allow an earned run over the next four innings of work. The Celtics pushed a run across in the top of the fourth inning when the Warriors committed an infield error.
The Warriors chipped away by scoring a run in the bottom of the third inning when Paco Lauciello doubled to deep centerfield to score Jason Waner. The Warriors scored again in the bottom of the fourth inning when Jack Lebert hammered a double to deep centerfield and later scored on Ryan Knightly's infield single. The score was 4-3 in favor of the Celtics after four innings of play.
The Warriors threatened in the bottom of the fifth inning when Robbie Maxfield started the inning with a single to leftfield. Jason Waner walked. Then, with one out and a full count with runners on first and second base, the Warriors called a hit and run play. As Robbie Maxfield approached third base on the steal, the Warriors' clean-up hitter drove a ball into centerfield which was caught--and the toss into second base easily doubled Robbie to end the inning.
Tim Prendergast was impressive again in relief. He held the Celtics scoreless in the sixth and seventh innings--and allowed just one hit in his two innings of work.
The Warriors once again threatened in the bottom of the seventh inning. With runners on second and third base and just one out, the Celtics' closer struck out the next two hitters to preserve the one run victory.
CELTICS: 4 runs, 6 hits, 1 error, 8 left on base
WARRIORS: 3 runs, 8 hits, 2 errors, 11 left on base
