The Brazos Valley Bombers have clinched the first place position in the regular season after tonight’s win in McKinney. The Bombers defeated the Marshals 11-2, behind the arm of Nick Goza, who pitched 6 strong innings, giving up one run on four hits while striking out five batters. The Bombers improved their record to 39-21, which sets an all time franchise record for Best Overall Regular Season Record.

Chris Florack began the ball game by reaching first base on a throwing error by Marshals starting pitcher Sam Martin, Florack then stole second base to put himself into scoring position. After advancing to 3^rd on a ground out by Jacob Rice, James Wharton would ground out for the second out of the first inning, but that would allow the runner from third to score, putting the Bombers up 1-0.

The second inning for the Bombers would prove to be the biggest inning. The Bombers centerfielder Matt Smith would single to lead off the inning. Adam Pena would come up to the plate with one out and would get to second on an error by the Marshals first basemen Chris Ballou, M. Smith would also advance to third base.  Florack would get an RBI single in his second at bat of the game, and runners would be on the corners for Jacob Rice. Rice would also get an RBI single as Pena would cross the plate for the second run of the inning. James Wharton would then be hit by a pitch, to load the bases, and with two outs Bobby Butvin would clear the bases with a 3 run double. That would put the Bombers up 6-0 and be more than enough for the Bombers pitching staff to hold onto.

In the top of the 4^th inning, Jacob Rice would single to lead off the inning, and would advance to second on the ground out by Wharton. Brennyn Smith would follow with a single and on some shaky defensive errors Rice would score and Smith would end up a third base. Smith would then be thrown out at the plate on a ground ball by Butvin. The Bombers would not be able to capitalize on what could have been another huge inning. The Bombers were up 7-0 at the end of the fourth inning.

In the sixth inning, Nick Smelser would draw a two out walk, and would advance to third on a single by Matt Smith. Kevin Knapp would play add on for the Bombers by driving in Smelser on a single. The Bombers lead was extended to 8 at the end of the top half of the 6^th. In the home half of the inning, Goza gave up his first run of the ball game, as Ronnie Mitchell singled to lead off the inning and was driven in bye KJ Alexander. The score at the end of six innings the Bombers were on top of the Marshals 8-1. The Marshals would add another run in the bottom of the 8^th inning off of pitcher Franco Pace, when Ronnie Mitchell scored his second run of the game off of a single by Chabriel Pizarro. Going into the final frame the Bombers were up 8-2

The Bombers would load the bases in the top of the 9^th inning, and added some extra runs to be sure that they had this game in the bag. Myles Parma, Chris Florack, and Adam Pena would be the base runners for Brennyn Smith who drove in Pena on an RBI single. Bobby Butvin would cap off the victory with a two run double to give the Bombers the 11-2 lead. Logan Burch would come on in the bottom half of the inning to retire the Marshals batters in order.

Bobby Butvin was the H&R Block Player of the Game going 2-5 with two doubles and five RBIs.

The Bombers finish the season 9-1 in the last 10 games and have a day off tomorrow, but begin playoff action Sunday August 12^th, in Victoria. First pitch will be a 7:05. The Bombers will face the Generals in a one game playoff to determine who plays in the TCL Championship. If the Bombers win on Sunday in Victoria, game two of the TCL Championship will be hosted at American Momentum Bank Ballpark, and then game three on Wednesday if needed. Admission for both home playoff games on Tuesday and Wednesday will be FREE thanks to American Momentum Bank, Brazos Bingo, Jones and Lowe Agency, and The Physicians Centre Hospital. For more information home playoff games visit bvbombers.com.