Jeff Nelson got things started in the third inning with a single, followed by another single from Kirk Morgan. Parker Lamm came up to the plate next and bunted in order to advance the runners to second and third. Upon narrowly beating the first baseman at first he was still called out. The play was immediately challenged by head coach Cliff Godwin and the home plate umpire overturned the play allowing Lamm to return first base. This proved to be crucial later in the inning when third baseman Eric Tyler picked up a two-out RBI single.
The Pirates missed an opportunity in the fourth inning when they loaded the bases with no outs.