WHEATLAND, CA (YSBC) - The Wheatland Pirates baseball team finished third place in the Pioneer Valley League after they were beaten by the Lincoln Fighting Zebras 5-3 on April 30.

The PVL title came down to Wheatland’s final matchup against Lincoln as there was an opportunity to have a three-way tie for the league title if the Pirates would have picked up the win.

The Fighting Zebras took the first game of the series with a 5-2 win on April 28.

Lincoln took advantage of some early miscues by Wheatland in their first at-bats of the game as they had a 3-0 lead.

The Fighting Zebras caught a couple of breaks in the opening inning where it appeared the calls could have gone either way.

Lincoln junior Declan Gonge (34) scores a run on April 30 during the Fighting Zebras victory over Wheatland. Photo by Steven Bryla

The Pirates bounced back in the bottom half of the first inning as they displayed great patience at the plate as they loaded the bases from three-straight walks.

Wheatland junior infielder Hughston Rodney grounded out and brought the Pirates their first run.

Wheatland junior infielder Brodee Malecha added the final run for the Pirates when he also hit into a fielder's choice in the first.

Lincoln scored their final two runs of the game in the second inning as senior Tyler Silva hit a run-batted-in (RBI) single.

Silva was one of the two Fighting Zebras that had three hits in the Lincoln victory.

Lincoln senior pitcher Billy Bass (48) tosses a pitch on April 30 during the Fighting Zebras victory against Wheatland. Photo by Steven Bryla

The Fighting Zebras were able to get eight hits off of Wheatland senior Chase Barton in the three innings he was on the mound.

Lincoln senior Billy Bass had a quality start as he came in relief during the first inning after sophomore Torre Ridgeway exited the game after two-straight walks.

Bass tossed 4 ⅔ innings in the win and surrendered three hits in the victory for the Fighting Zebras.

Rodney and junior catcher Kale Nakamura led the Pirates with two hits each in the loss.

Rodney also pitched the final four innings in relief as he contained the Lincoln hitters as he allowed three hits in his relief appearance.

Wheatland senior Chase Barton (26) throws a pitch during the Pirates’ loss to Lincoln on April 30. Photo by Steven Bryla

Wheatland head coach Bradford Barton told Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that the Pirates had their opportunities to get into the game, but the Fighting Zebras were the better team throughout the week.

Both Lincoln and Wheatland made the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division V playoffs as brackets were released on Saturday, May 2.

The Fighting Zebras are the No. 1 overall seed in the bracket and Wheatland was handed the fifth seed. Lincoln is the defending D-V champion.

The Pirates hosted El Dorado in the first round on Wednesday, May 6.

For more local sports, visit ysbcsports.com.

Wheatland junior Ezekiel Gutierrez (11) fields a ball in right field on April 30 during the Pirates’ defeat against Lincoln. Photo by Steven Bryla