The Wolves stranded five runners over the final three innings and had two base runners caught off base on line drive catches, including one in the top of the eighth to kill two potential rallies.
"We definitely had our chances but just couldn't get the big hit. We let this one slip away for sure," Buford coach Tony Wolfe said. "A pitch here or a ball hit a few feet to the left or right and it's a different story. But Pierce is an excellent team and they came in here and won it."
Pierce County's Cole Dowling stroked a bases loaded single to left for the game-winner off Josh Bryan, who was pitching his fourth inning of relief of starter Ryan Bramlett, who had thrown less than 11 innings all season, and Connor Bennett, who had thrown less than 10 innings on the season. Bryan had wiggled out of two earlier jams but was not able to get out of the eighth after surrendering three hits and a walk.
"Josh battled and we couldn't have asked any more from him than he gave," Wolfe said. "Ryan and Connor I thought pitched well enough to give us a chance to win the game. They had not seen much action all year so they did well for the situation.
"But this team all year has been about overcoming adversity. We lost our No. 2 pitcher three weeks ago so to get to this point was outstanding. I love how they competed. They never quit."
Pierce jumped on Bramlett early on a two-RBI single by Tim Huff in the first inning. The Wolves answered with a run in the second when Brian Malone scored from third on a balk call to make a 2-1 lead.
Buford (21-12) took its first lead in the third with three runs. Joey Bart had a RBI single, Cam Gazaway was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Austin Upshaw drew a bases loaded walk for a 4-2 Buford lead. But they couldn't get the knockout blow lining into double play to end the inning.
The Bears responded in the bottom of the third with two runs to tie the game at 4-4. It stayed that until the eighth.
Pierce County coach Greg Gay said it was a satisfying win that had been years in the making. They were knocked out by Buford at the same stage of the season last year.
"It really wasn't about revenge more than it was about reaching a goal," Gay said. "This was our third straight Elite 8 and we've been waiting four years to get to the semifinals. This is the hardest working group I've ever had so I just feel happy for them to be able to achieve this accomplishment. Hopefully we're not done."
Will White picked up the win for the Bears (27-6) going six innings in relief after throwing three innings in a Game 1 start on Tuesday. He allowed just two hits and fanned six and held the Buford offense, which came in averaging more than 10 runs a game in the playoffs, scoreless over his last five innings of work in the series.
Buford baseball coach Tony Wolfe
http://accesswdun.com/article/2012/5/248721