When the Heat came to bat in the seventh inning, they held a 2-0 lead. They loaded the bases with one out, but Joey Wong struck out and Tim Kennelly popped out to second base. It was a large opportunity that was sadly missed by Perth.
Mike McClendon started the game for the Heat and dominated until he gave up back-to-back home runs to Stefan Welch and Tom Brice. His only real scare before that was in the sixth inning. He gave up two hits, but his defense helped him out with a double play and he helped his own cause with a strikeout. Just when McClendon thought the home run party was over, the next hitter, Mitch Dening, launched a home run to right field. Yes, they hit back-to-back-to-back long shots. After all three, McClendon was removed and replaced by McKenzie Acker.
Morgan Coombs started for the Bite, but came out after pitching seven innings. He gave up two runs (one earned) on six hits, while striking out five. Matt Williams came in for the eighth inning and shut down the Heat in order. Williams came back out in the ninth; his team just three outs away from victory.
Allan de San Miguel walked and was eventually able to move up to third base with just one out. Williams walked Matt Kennelly to put runners on the corners. After that event, he departed.
Tyler Brunnemann replaced Williams and got Brian Pointer to ground into a double play to end the game.
The Heat had the momentum in every inning up to the seventh inning. That is when the Bite took control and never looked back.
Bite 3
Heat 2
-Evan Petzold