Miami vs Louisville, games 3,4, and 5

The series moves to Louisville tied at 1-1.

For Game 3, the Stars get 4 runs off Andre Castillo in the first 4 innings, with 2 RBI each for Bubba Lewis and Everett Jimenez. Jim Farmer pitches 6 innings, allowing 3 runs, all scoring in the second and third innings.

In the 7th, RJ Duke pulls farmer to go to Don Thompson with a 4-3 lead. Thompson pitches a 1-2-3 inning. In the 8th, its Joel Shapiro, who strikes out the side while allowing only one walk. Meanwhile, Demond Johnson pitches 2 2/3 innings to keep the score close for the Sluggers.

In the 9th, RJ Duke tries to complete the formulaic win, going to closer Bob Belardi. Nicholas Dark pops up. Fred Gannon strikes out. Julius Alfonzo grounds to short, and the Stars are up 2-1 in the series.

Game 4 was a matchup between the two surprise aces, Steve Jacobson and Ed Leroy. The Sluggers struck first in the 4th, as Juan Biras doubled with a pair of Block on base. Josh scored, but Rob was thrown out at the plate by Geoff Favre.

Jacobson pitched 6 scoreless innings, and Rick Cooper got out of the 7th still up 1-0. In the 8th, Miami mounted their rally. With one out, Brian Kaat lined a pitch off the pitching rubber. It rolled towards 3rd and Brian beat it out. After a steal of second pinch hitter Tim Carey beat out an infield single. Lousville went ot the bullpen for lefthander Chris Scott, who walked Geoff Favre. Back to the bullpen, the Sluggers went to closer Anderson to get out of the bases loaded, 1 out jam. Matt McCoy grounded to short, and with the infield in, Juan Biras cut down the run at the plate. Damon Nkik followed with a 2 runs single to make it 2-1 Miami.

In the bottom of the 8th the Sluggers mounted their own rally against Shapiro. With one out and Alfonzo on 1st Quilvio Gato doubled to right. Alfonzo was held at 3rd. RJ Duke ordered an intentional walk to Hal Glover, bringing up Josh Block with the bases loaded. Don Thompson came on in relief, and Block grounded to short. The throw went home for 1 out and over to first for a double play.

In the bottom 9th Rob Block led off with a walk against Belardi. Mike Harrison pinch ran, and stole 2nd with one out. Belardi then struck out Nicholas Dark and Fred Gannon to end the game.

Game 5 was the game one starters again. This time Jojo Lewis looked like a Hall of Famer gain. He struck out 14 Stars in 7 2/3 innings. In the 7th, Quilvio Gato broke a 1-1 tie with a 2 out, bases loaded double. He brought in 3 runs before being tagged out between 2nd and 3rd.

In the 8th Ryan Kashiwada's double brought the Stars to within 4-3 with a double. Demond Johnson ended the inning by getting Bubba Lewis to pop up.

With Chad Anderson unavailable, Rick Cooper was called on to close out the 9th. Everett Jimenez grounded out to 3rd. Bobby Hoffman walked, and speedy Mike Dumas came in to run. Brian Kaat executed the hit and run single to put runners on 1st and third, but Brian Kelly lined out to first. With 2 down, Brian Kaat stole second as Louisville elected to hold the ball with Dumas threatedning at third. Geoff Favre then lifted a fly down the right field line, and Nicholas Dark made a fine running catch to end the game, possibly the last one the retiring 37 year old will ever play in Slugger field.

The series moves back to Miami with the Stars leading 3-2.