Oakland Defeats Ogden 1-0 to Advance to Championship Series

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Oakland Ballers and Ogden Raptors saved their best pitcher's duel for last, with the Ballers prevailing 1-0 on Saturday night at Raimondi Park to clinch the First Round series and punch their ticket to the Championship Series of the Pioneer Baseball League Playoffs presented by RedPocket.

Oakland's Gabe Tanner was brilliant in the winner-take-all game, spinning eight shutout innings while scattering five hits, striking out five, and allowing no earned runs.

Ogden's offense put pressure on Oakland throughout the night, collecting five hits and putting runners in scoring position in the first, fourth, and fifth innings. Kenneth Oyama led the charge with two hits and a stolen base, while Dylan Wilkinson and True Fontenot each added singles.

Despite consistent contact, the Raptors were held to 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position, leaving six runners on base.

On the other side, Ogden starter Austyn Coleman was equally tough, holding Oakland to four hits and an unearned run over 6.2 innings while striking out seven. The game's lone run came in the seventh inning when Esai Santos stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error that allowed pinch runner T.J. McKenzie to swipe home.

Oakland's Connor Sullivan took over in the ninth and slammed the door, retiring the side in order to secure the save. Cam Bufford led the Ballers' offense with two hits, while Dillon Tatum and Nick Leehey each reached base twice.

With the win, Oakland takes the series and advances to the Championship Series of the Pioneer Baseball League Playoffs presented by RedPocket for the first time in franchise history. Game One of the Championship Series is scheduled for Tuesday September 16. Fans can catch the action on 860 AM The Answer and FloBaseball.tv.