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Despite beating the #2 and #3 seeds in head to head play, the Warriors received a #4 seed due to an unusual tiebreaker formula used in this tournament. As a result, the Warriors were matched up with the #1 seed for the second consecutive game.
The Warriors failed to score in the first inning after Jason Enguita reached base on an infield error. Jason was the Warriors' starting pitcher. Pilsen scored two runs in the first inning on three hits. But, Jason was effective on the mound and only walked one batter during his three innings of work.
Trent Sichelski singled to centerfield in the second inning after two were out, but the Warriors once again grounded out to end the inning. The Pilsen infielders made nine assists in the game with most of those coming from the left side of the infield.
Jason held Pilsen scoreless in the second inning when Cody Rutledge had two assists from third base and Connor Bartle made a nice over-the-shoulder running catch down the rightfield line from his first base position.
Patrick O'Connor drew a walk in the third inning, but the inning then ended when Rick Sisco lined out to the centerfielder.
Pilsen scored four runs in the third inning. The first two batters reached base, but Tyler Dempsey then threw out a runner attempting to steal third base. With the score at 2-0 in favor of Pilsen and runners on second and third with two outs, Pilsen's #3 hitter popped a high fly ball out of the park. A moment later, the clean-up hitter popped another fly ball over the wall. Suddenly, the Warriors trailed 6-0!
The Warriors finally threatened in the top of the fourth inning when Steve Sismelich singled to rightfield to lead off the inning. He advanced to third base on two wild pitches. Jason Enguita was hit by a pitch (his 4th of the season). But, the next two batters failed to advance the runner from third base as the Warriors' experienced another scoreless inning.
Cody Rutledge was dominating in relief and did not allow Pilsen to score again for the remainder of the game. But, the Warriors' offense put very little pressure on the Pilsen defense.
The Warriors went down in order in the fifth inning. Jim Robley singled to centerfield in the sixth inning and Rick Sisco reached base on a hard grounder to the third baseman. But, the Warriors failed to pick up a timely hit once again as the inning ended with those two runners stranded.
Matt Carroll singled to leftfield to start the seventh inning. But, Pilsen converted a 6-4-3 double play immediately after that. Tyler Dempsey kept the inning alive with a base on balls before Pilsen's third baseman fielded a ground ball to end the Warriors' hopes in this one.
The Warrior executed its game plan, but failed to generate enough hitting to stay in the game. Jason Enguita was effective and remained in the game until Cody Rutledge had enough innings available under the pitching rules to finish the game. But, four hits wasn't enough for the Warriors to threaten in this one.
Pilsen's manager, Sam Flores, recognized Steve Sismelich with the MVP medallion after the game. He pointed out that Pilsen wanted to recognize Steve for his contributions throughout the four game series so far this season.
The Warriors are now 2-2 against Pilsen. Each team has knocked the other team out of a tournament. The teams will meet again on Friday in the Lockport Tournament and will probably play yet again in the Oak Lawn Tournament.
