
Southern Poly started the game with a 3-0 lead after scoring 1 in the first inning and 2 in the second. The Bulldogs answered with one in the 3rd and two in the top of the 4th to tie the game. However, the Southern Poly Hornets scored one more in the bottom of the 4th. In the 6th, Rafael Carlot singled, then Brad Pippa hit a single, and Kurtis Bramlett walked to load the bases. David Lindsey grounded out but allowed Devin Paschal, who was pinch running for Carlot, to score and tie the game at 4-4. The Bulldogs scored one run in the 9th inning when Cody Gaskill reached on a walk, then Loveland grounded out to advance him to second. Rafael Carlot hit a single and Gaskill ran in for the winning run.
The Bulldogs were faced with a tough challenge of defeating Southern Poly once again in order to win the Opening Round Championship and move on to the Avista-NAIA World Series. So far through the regular season and this tournament the Bulldogs were 1-3 against the Hornets of Southern Poly.
The Bulldogs started the bottom of the first inning with a single by Ryan Santos and then Jonathan Smith. Cody Gaskill it a 3-run homer to take the lead, 3-0. In the top of the 3rd, Joe Wilson of Southern Poly, took his first at bat of the game over the right field fence. Then Mason Heller sent his first pitch over the left field fence, to close the lead the Bulldogs had to 3-2. In the bottom of the 4th inning, the Bulldogs scored two more runs to increase the gap, but the Hornets scored one in the top of the 5th. Southern Poly came back in the 7th inning to score 5 runs and take the lead, 8-5. The Bulldogs answered with 2 runs in the bottom of the inning, but they still trailed by one going into the 8th. The Bulldogs held the Hornets to no runs in the top of the inning, while scoring 5 in the bottom. It started with a single by Freddy Lewis, then C.J. McElroy being hit by a pitch. Ryan Santos hit a single to right field and Lewis scored. Jonathan Smith reached base on a walk which loaded the bases for Cody Gaskill. Gaskill hit a double to deep left, which scored McElroy and Santos. Max Loveland hit a single to score Jonathan Smith. Tanner Quirk went in to pinch run for Max Loveland. Rafael Carlot was up to bat next and he hit a sacrifice fly to score Gaskill. Wesleyan ended the 8th ahead 12-8, needing just 3 outs to end the game and head to the World Series. Max Loveland moved to pitch the final inning. He struck out the first batter, but Brandon Chastain hit a double, and then
then Edmond Sparks popped up to second for the 2nd out. Justin Ray hit a single to advance Chastain to third. Joe Wilson was up and scored Chastain on his single to center field. Andrew Root was up to bat with 2 outs and 2 runners on base, and was hit by a base. Jono was walked which scored Fleming who was pinch running for Ray and advanced the other runners. Mason Heller was up and reached base on fielder's choice which advanced Wilson to score one more for the Hornets. Josh Grooms was up and grounded out to end the game. The Bulldogs win 12-11 to advance to the World Series.
Three of the Bulldogs were leaders in the tournament in Georgia. Hamilton Bennett led in strikeouts averaging 14.14, while Max Loveland led in stolen bases with a total of 3 during the tournament . Cody Gaskill led the tournament in RBI's with a total of 12.
The Bulldogs will now be traveling to Lewiston, Idaho for the Avista-NAIA World Series.