Battle Baseball’s historical run came to an end with a 4-3 loss to Tallahassee, Florida, in the semifinals of the Babe Ruth World Series Friday night in Jamestown, New York. The team will now play for third place in the consolation game Saturday morning.

Playing for the right to advance to the championship game, Battle held a 3-1 lead entering the bottom of the fourth inning. After a quick start offensively, they were held hitless over the final three innings. During that stretch, Tallahassee took advantage of multiple errors and eventually plated the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fifth.

Nate Tatton pitched three solid innings for Battle, surrendering four hits and three earned runs. Austin Leonard worked two innings in relief, giving up just two hits. Jaxton Smith finished off the bottom of the sixth, fanning two batters and allowing no runners.

Battle broke through on the scoreboard first, putting two runs up in the opening inning. Alex Martinez brought Tatton home on a sacrifice fly. Moments later, Jace Bosone crossed home plate as Rigden Rhoten laced a line drive to center field. Tallahassee chopped Battle’s lead in half with a timely hit but left two stranded as the game entered the second inning.

Smith jump-started Battle’s offense in the third inning, reaching on a line drive single. After stealing second base, Smith crossed home plate on a single from Bosone, giving Battle a 3-1 lead.

The fourth inning proved to be the difference maker in the closely contested game. Jacen Urbanik reached safely after being hit by a pitch, and Callen Donaldson reached on a single, putting two runners on. With two runners in scoring position, Jaxton Smith loaded the bases on an intentional walk. Though battle threatened, they were unable to score, leaving the bases juiced following a pitching change from Tallahassee.

The momentum swing carried into the bottom of the fourth as Tallahassee used two hits to tie the game 3-3 heading into the fifth. Two errors in the fifth frame led to the go-ahead run and the eventual win for Tallahassee.

Bosone ended the game 2-3 at the plate with an RBI and a run. Rhoten finished 1-3 with a double and one RBI. As a team, Battle finished with seven hits, compared to six for Tallahassee.

While Friday’s loss ends Battle’s championship hopes, the team will play for third place Saturday morning. Battle punched their ticket to Jamestown by protecting home field and winning the Pacific Southwest Regional Tournament in July. At the World Series, Battle earned victories over Wisconsin, Colorado, and New York to advance to the single-elimination tournament.  The win over Pennsylvania on Thursday put Battle in the semifinals, finishing as a top-four team in the world for 13U baseball.