CLICK HERE for team and player statistics through Game #20.The Warriors topped the Southside Express 4-2 in a pitchers' duel at Schussler South on Wednesday night. The game moved along quickly and was completed in less than 90 minutes.
Tim Prendergast was the Warriors' starting pitcher in this one. Tim pitched five scoreless innings. He allowed just two hits and struck out seven hitters. His earned run average (ERA) has fallen to an impressive 2.43 for the season. Even more impressive, his walks & hits per innings pitched (WHIP) dropped to 1.20--the best in Warriors' history.The game remained scoreless until the Warriors' pushed a run across in the bottom of the third inning. Ryan Tannebaum reached base on a bunt and later scored when C.J. Brucki lined a single into centerfield.
The Warriors threatened to extend the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning when Ryan Novak and Sam Marc reached base on singles. With runners on first and third base and one out, Tyler Knight smashed a line drive down the leftfield line--but the leftfielder for Southside Express, Matt Dahlgren, made a nice running catch and fired the ball into second base to complete the inning ending double play! The Warriors held its one run lead as the game moved into the sixth inning of play.
The Warriors brought Ryan Novak into the game to relieve Tim Prendergast. Tim's pitch count was approaching 90 after five innings--and another inning would have placed him above an appropriate level for safety in this game. Ryan quickly retired the Southside Express in the sixth inning.
Fortunately, the Warriors added three insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. The big hit was Tim Prendergast's towering double to deep leftfield to score two runs after two were out.
Ryan Novak quickly retired the first two Southside Express hitters in the seventh inning. But, three hits and two walks later--and the Southside Express had the bases loaded and the tying run at second base!
The Warriors went to its save leader, Jason Waner, to close the game. Jason caught Danny Bedell looking at a third strike to record his second save of the season.
SOUTHSIDE EXPRESS: 2 runs, 5 hits, 2 errors, 8 left on base
WARRIORS: 4 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors, 4 left on base
