The Owlz struck first as Rob Cool extended his hot hitting in the series with a lead-off single against Warriors starting pitcher, Brent Heintzleman. Cool then stole second base, and Josh Spicer was hit by a pitch. After a pop-out, Cool scored on a Josh Shearn RBI groundout. A walk to Dan Sloan, and two consecutive errors by the Warriors allowed Spicer to score.

The Owlz added another unearned run in the second to extend their lead, 3-0.

In the third inning, the Warriors got on the board. Consecutive walks to lead off the inning by Drew Hazel brought Craig Boley to the plate. Boley double to left field plating Heintzleman, and moving Rich Doyle to third. A sacrifice fly by Brendan Malone scored Doyle, and a fielders choice allowed Boley to score lateer in the inning, tying the score at three apiece.

The Owlz responded in the bottom of the third to retake the lead. James Fago laced a one-out single, and promptly stole second base to put himself in scoring position. With two outs, Fago scored on another Warriors error.

Rob Cool led off the fourth and wasted no time in extending the Owlz lead. Another single, and another stolen base put Cool in scoring position with nobody out. He scored two batters later on a wild pitch to put the Owlz ahead by two runs.

The Warriors answered in the top of the fifth, scoring two runs without getting a single hit. Consecutive walks by Hazel to Boley and Malone set the stage. On a double steal attempt, the throw to third bounced into left field and allowed Boley to score, and Malone to move to third.

Hazel struck out the next two Warriors, and appeared set to get out of the inning with minimal damage as Steve Heckman stepped to the plate with two outs. As Hazel came set to deliver to the plate, Malone broke for home as Heckman squared to bunt. Heckman pulled back as Malone crossed the plate, stealing home to tie the game at five apiece and give the Warriors a very tangible edge in momentum.

The Owlz Bill Spina reached third base after a walk, stolen base, and a throwing error with one out in the bottom of the sixth. However, Ian Overbaugh effectively ended the threat by inducing a strike-out and a fly-out on a hard hit ball by Spicer.

Already feeding off their momentum from the bottom of the sixth, the Warriors got off to a quick start in the top of the seventh. Brendan Malone doubled to lead off the inning, and moved to third on a passed ball. He would later score on an RBI groundout by Adam Myers to give the Warriors a 6-5 edge heading into the bottom of the final frame.

Bill Theobold walked to lead off the seventh for the Owlz. After a fly-out, Overbaugh appeared to have induced a game-ending and championship winning double-play ball. However, an error on the play left runners on first and second with one out. James Fago was intentionally walked after a wild pitch put runners at second and third.

With the Owlz trailing 6-5, Jim Beam stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the seventh inning. After a failed squeeze attempt, Beam lined a single to left field, plating two runners and giving the Owlz their first Championship in their first year in the Pittsburgh NABA.

The Warriors just missed the opportunity to claim their second title in four years. They would have become only the second team to repeat as Champions, following the Black Sox in 2004 and 2006. Craig Boley, Jason Baker, Brendan Malone, and Brent Heintzleman each had outstanding efforts during their run in the playoffs.

The Owlz were led in the series by the manager Rob Cool who went 5-10 with a walk three runs scored, three runs batted in, and two stolen bases. James Fago pitched effectively for the Owlz going 2-0 in seven innings pitched allowing only one run while striking out eight while walking four.

Although he was only 2 for 9 in the series, Jim Beam is named the Series MVP as his hits came when his team needed them most. In Game 1, Beam’s lead-off triple allowed the Owlz to thwart the Warriors momentum and extend their lead to 3-1 before winning comfortably at 4-1 behind Fago’s pitching. And in Game 3 with the game and the series on the line, Beam’s single scored two, and the rest is history.

Congratulations to Rob Cool, Jim Beam, and the rest of the Owlz on a hard-fought championship. Teams will no doubt be looking to copy their blueprint for next year. The Ducks have already put their wheels in motion in their aims for 2009. They are rumored to be renamed the “Duckz”.

The 2008 Pittsburgh NABA Champions: OWLZ!!! Congratulations and enjoy your off-season.