10/4/2014: Crystal Lake, IL – Going into Game 3 tonight, tensions are high in Bakersfield. The Bears are in crisis mode as they arrive in beautiful Crystal Lake. Even without their superstar slugger Eduardo Molina, the Sandgnats are an excellent team with the ability to end the Bears’ season in this short five-game series without giving them a chance to return to Bakersfield. After back-to-back one-run games in, there is no question that this is a very close match-up. This series could go either way.

The Bears entered the playoffs confident after finishing the season with the league’s best record (108-54). That record matched the franchise-best record in the league’s inaugural 2007 season. Unfortunately, that season ended in disappointment. The Bears were quickly eliminated in the first round, swept three games to zero by the Palm Springs Codgers.

Despite losing up-and-coming star Alfredo Vega, who this season became the Bears’ best and certainly most dependable hitter, Bakersfield believed that this was the best team they had fielded since that original squad. There is no question that adding legendary 28-year-old ace Markus Hancock was a huge upgrade to the pitching staff. It was the key addition that the Bears’ hoped would give them their first real shot at playing for the Cup in this, their 7^th playoff appearance.

With Hancock leading the way, the Bears had an impressive 2.80 team ERA. That was to be a key advantage for the team. However, it now appears that the lack of offense may do the Bears in after they gave home field advantage to the Sandgnats with the split. The Gnats are extremely tough at home with a 54-27 record. Somehow, the Bears have to win one of the two games this weekend to force Game 5.

Bears’ Manager Joe Matterson is now faced with the difficult task of getting the team out of this series victorious. He has to come up with a new plan. Clearly, the lack offense is the key. Former star slugger Jude Pew is sitting on the bench and the Bears are struggling with whether or not to give him a shot in his final post-season with the club.

We will see tonight what adjustments Matterson and the Bears make in Game 3. First pitch is at 4:05 PM Pacific Time.