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The first three hitters in the game for the Southside Express (SSE) reached base on two walks and a hit batsman. All three runners scored when the SSE added three hits in the inning--one being a costly two out hit to score two runs. The Warriors' starting pitcher, Steve Sismelich, was removed from the game after experiencing some tenderness in his arm. Matt Carroll entered the game in relief and retired the final hitter of the inning.
The Warriors would spend the rest of the night trying to chip away at the five run deficit. Unfortunately, this was not a night of timely hitting as the Warriors left ten runners on base in this game--and twice failed to score after loading the bases with less than two outs.
Matt LeVigne recorded the Warriors' only extra base hit of the evening when he doubled to centerfield. This was Matt's fourth double and his team-leading 12th extra base hit of the season. But, the Warriors left Matt stranded at second base in the second inning.
Trent Sichelski singled to start the third inning and then stole second base. But, he was also left stranded after being in scoring position with no outs.
The Warriors finally scored in the fourth inning. The inning started with Steve Sismelich reaching base on an infield error. Matt Carroll then walked (his 19th of the season). The next three Warriors--Jason Enguita, Tyler Dempsey and Connor Bartle--all singled. The Warriors scored two runs and had the bases loaded with no outs. But, the next three hitters were unable to advance the runners and the inning ended with the Warriors trailing the SSE by three runs.
The Warriors threatened again in the sixth inning. Matt Carroll started the inning with a line drive single into leftfield. Tyler Dempsey and Connor Bartle singled. Matt LeVigne walked to load the bases with one out. But, the Warriors left three runners stranded. This time, the inning ended on a well hit line drive off the bat of Trent Sichelski--which unfortunately was hit right back at the pitcher.
In the meantime, Matt Carroll was pitching a masterpiece. After entering the game in relief in the first inning, he continued to hold the SSE scoreless for the rest of the game! He managed to keep his pitch count under control while on the mound for 6 1/3rd innings. Matt allowed just three hits in that span.
With the Warriors trailing by two runs in the seventh inning, Patrick O'Connor worked the count and drew a walk to start the inning. This brought the tying run to the plate with no outs. But, the Warriors went down quickly after that. A pop fly to the catcher, a strikeout and another fly out to the first baseman ended the Warriors' hopes in this one.
Despite out-hitting the SSE by nine hits to four, the Warriors simply could not convert hits into runs. The Warriors lost for the second time this season.
