10/8/2014: Bakersfield, CA – For the second straight year, the Bakersfield Bears head to the SL Alliance Tournament after again beating Crystal Lake in the Division Series. This year was much more difficult than last year, when the Bears beat the Sandgnats three games to one. This time, the Bears escaped after needing to win both Games 4 and 5 in order to stay alive in the post-season.

Finding themselves in a serious hole after losing Games 2 and 3, and only one loss away from elimination, the Bears looked to star pitchers Markus Hancock and Tetsuo Okazaki to save them. Both pitchers answered the call by pitching gems. Hancock gave the Bears 7.1 innings and surrendered only one earned run. Okazaki followed with 8.1 innings of no-run ball.

The Bears finally got some help from the offense. Sergio Vallejo had two home runs, including a grand slam in Game 4. Just coming off the disabled list, Vallejo had really struggled but finally came through with 5 RBI in the 10-1 victory. In Game 5, Carlos Guerera provided the offensive spark with three hits, including a home run. The Bears went on to win 7-1.

Now the Bears will face the team that has historically been their most difficult post-season hurdle. This will be the 5^th time Bakersfield will meet the Aurora Borealis in the playoffs. After beating them the first time in 2008, Bakersfield has lost to Aurora in 2009, 2011 and in 2012.

The Bears are obviously concerned about Aurora’s incredible offense. They average a remarkable PEBA-leading 5.9 runs per game. With superstar sluggers at every position, the Bears will have their hands full. Insiders in the Bears organization are extremely concerned and do not anticipate even the recent injury to star outfielder John Knight will slow down the high-power lineup.

While the Borealis offense is a given, their pitching staff has surprisingly been very underrated. Despite losing Bill Bradley, the staff actually allowed the second-lowest runs per game average at 3.5. The Borealis also have four 17-game winners. Only 14 pitchers had 17 or more wins this year and Aurora had four of them.

This should be a great series and another chapter to the rivalry. First pitch at The Chocolate Factory will be Saturday at 7:05 PST.