n the first series played in the National Conference play-in tournament the #4 seed Montana Explorers headed to SF and Oracle Park to take on the #1 seed San Francisco Lightsabers. 

Montana felt optimistic in Game 1 with their  Ace (although 6 IP limit) Tarik Skubal on the mound vs Bobby Miller.

SF struck early, getting a run in the first and 2 more in the third to put the heat on the Montana offense – which could not solve Bobby Miller and the pen, only scratching out 1 run in the 6th and SF took game one, 3-1.

Game 2 had Eury Perez on the hill for the home team and Kyle Hendricks for Montana. Both teams scored a first inning run but Perez was yanked after giving up 2 singles in the 2nd inning and Michael King came into the game and put out the fire. King got in trouble in the 3rd however when after a leadoff walk to Duran and singles by Joe and Urias plated a run Ezequiel Tovar put one in the seats to give the Explorers and 5-1 lead.  SF was not able to get to Hendricks or the pen and that was the final score.

Game 3 for advancement to face either Wasau or Tuscany for the final spot in the “real” playoffs and advancement to Premier Conference next season.  

Tanner Houck for Montana vs Nick Martinez for SF.

Brice Turang led off the game with a single and CF Jake McCarthy misplayed the ball allowing the speedy Turang to end up at 3rd on the error. Duran plated him with a base knock. Another run on a double, WP, and Sac Fly in the 3rd put the Explorers up 2-0. A Tristan Casas solo shot for SF in the 4th made it 2-1.

The SF pen got wild in the 6th as Sam Moll came on and gave up a single to PH Taylor Ward and after 1 out walked the bases loaded. Drew Rasmussen was brought on and promptly walked Connor Wong to force in Montana’s 3rd run before retiring the next 2 batters.

In the 8th doubles by Bogaerts and Arozarena off Brent Suter brought SF back within a run at 3-2 entering the 9th inning.

Craig Kimbrel took the mound in the 9th for SF and after 2 walks, a single and a wild pitch it was 6-2 and that is how it ended with Montana moving on to play another series.

Only 2 HR’s in the three games as it was cold and windy with bad weather in the first 2 games – felt like an old school series! 

Miscues, Walks, and Wild Pitches did SF dirty – that is how Montana has to win games – small ball and keep the score low and close and hope for the best!

Thanks Dave for smooth netplay hosting and an exciting 3 games.