The South Bay Sliders defeated the Inland Valley Pirates Saturday night by a score of 4-2. The Sliders were fueled by a dominant pitching performance by Tanner Stevens (El Camino College) who went 4.2 innings only allowing one hit. An army of Sliders pitchers went on to preserve the 4-2 victory. 

The Sliders got out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning off of Pirates starter, Breion Barron.

The Pirates managed to push across the early equalizer in the bottom of the first on a two-out base hit by Brennan McKenzie.

However, the Sliders regained the lead with single runs in the third and fourth innings to make it a 3-1 game.

In the bottom of the seventh, McKenzie delivered once again, with a sacrifice fly to left to trim the lead to 3-2.

The Sliders tacked on an insurance run in the ninth and held on to win by a final of 4-2.

With that win South Bay narrows the gap for the final playoff spot to three games.

The Sliders got off to an incredibly slow start, but seem to be getting hot at the right time. During the all-star break, they tied for a first place finish in the Rawlings California Cup Tournament in Santa Maria, CA. They have now won five of their past seven games and have their sights set on that last Sunset League playoff spot. 

The Sliders take on the OC Surf in a huge Sunset League doubleheader on Sunday at El Camino College. First pitch is scheduled for 1pm.

The Pirates will drop anchor for a brief recess, before they draw their swords again on Wednesday, when they take on the Gamers at Scolinos Field. Game time is set for 6:00 PM.