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 The Thunderbirds were out-hit 14-8 by the Sea Lions, and were kept off the board after the fourth inning.
The Sea Lions got the winning run in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single by DH Travis McCleary. It was the sixth inning, however, that was disastrous for the Thunderbirds. They loaded the bases with no outs on three consecutive batters hit by reliever Josh Brink. Brink was replaced by Jeff Hall, who immediately threw a wild pitch to score a run. The Sea Lions got another run on a sacrifice fly by 1B Steven Winnick, and one more on an RBI single by SS Tyler Kuehl.
The Sea Lions had the bases loaded with no outs again in the seventh inning, but Hall was able to get out of the jam with two force-outs at the plate and a ground out.
The Thunderbirds' runs came in the fourth inning on a home run by 1B Scott Webster with CF Jon Syrnyk aboard. The Birds had a chance to do some more damage in this inning. 3B Ryan Pilgrim and DH Mitch Grossell were hit by pitches, and C Ben Torrie hit a single to left field, but Pilgrim was thrown out at home to end the inning.
Taylor King started, and gave way to Brink after only 3 2/3 innings; he allowed 11 hits, and got the loss. Hall ended up going the rest of the way, and gave up one run on three hits over three innings. Sea Lions starter Chris Honer went eight innings, and got the win. He struck out eight.
SS Sammie Starr and Syrnyk went 2-4. McCleary went 3-4 for the Sea Lions, and C Tim Winslow went 3-3 with two doubles.
Box score and play-by-play
Story from UBC Athletics site: T-Birds lose 7-2 Sea Lions, Must Win Three Straight to Earn Spot at World Series
Story from Azusa Pacific site: Sea Lions Advance To Championship
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