LEWISTON, Idaho - The magical run came to a close Tuesday night at Harris Field against No. 3 seed LSU Shreveport 3-2 with the potential tying run on third and winning run on first in the bottom of the ninth. Faulkner finishes fifth in the World Series after falling out of the polls for the first time since 2010 earlier this season.

A ninth inning homer from substitute second baseman Trevor Burkhardt proved to be the difference that couldn't be answered despite a leadoff single from Evan Gilliam in the bottom half and a balk put the tying run on second with no outs. A popped up bunt attempt and stolen base on a strikeout put Gilliam on third but that is as far as he would get. 

Facing the third opposing staff ace of the opening round, Brayan Garcia took the mound to start for just the third time this season and matched the effectiveness of Kevin Miranda, each allowing two runs, but with Garcia working one more out, despite striking out six to Miranda's 10. Garcia's quality start put Faulkner in a position to extend the season one more day, but it just was not in the cards. 

The Eagles got to the nation's strikeout leader who returned after starting the Pilots' first round game Friday twice in the fifth to take the lead after surrendering a run in the fourth. Gilliam cashed in a leadoff Justice Lucas walk with a triple down the right field line before scoring on a Tommy Reyes-Cruz pinch hit single. 

Nicholas Graham (3-4) was handed the tough luck loss allowing just one and a walk hit over 3.2 innings of stellar relief work. 

The Pilots (53-7) leveled back in the sixth with a sacrifice fly as Gilliam limited the damage with a grab against the wall with bases loaded on the tying play. 

The Eagles wrap up the season fifth in the World Series, accomplishing something no team had accomplished since 2010 in winning twice in one day Saturday and with a season's record of 39-17. Read Full Article