Playoffs Round 1

Round 1 of the Warriors quest for the Championship pinned us against the 5 seed Rochester Rampage for the 3rd meeting of the season. The game started off slowly, as the Warriors failed to produce in the first half of the game. The Warriors trailed by 3 runs entering the 8th inning, where they would eventually walk it off to win the game. A big clutch double in the 9th by Brian McClurg to tie the game, and the walk-off master Austin Baukol added his second walk off hit of the season, as the Warriors narrowly survived the tough Rampage team.

Brian McClurg started the game on the hill before an injury to his foot led to an early exit. He pitched 3 innings of good baseball, giving up 5 runs on 6 hits. He was followed by Chris Wieseman, who continued his dominance, striking out 6 batters, only giving up a single hit to close out the game and pick up the win.

The Warrior bats, despite the lack of runs, compiled 17 hits on the day, while only scoring 7 runs. Brian McClurg helped his cause by driving in 3 runs, including a clutch double in the 9th to tie the game and set up the walk off hit. Dan Fitzsimmons also drove in 2 runs on 3 hits, while scoring twice. The story once again was Austin Baukol and his second walk-off hit of the season, scoring Jeremy Marquardt on a single in the 9th inning with zero outs to win the game. Chris Weiseman was feared by the Rampage, walking 4 times, including an intentional walk, which would ultimately lead to a run. Shane Fox and Kanen Hudson were the only Warriors to not record a hit in a great hitting performance as a team.

With the win, the Warriors would then play the 1 seed and defending champions Pine Island Pirates in a double header.