The Lethbridge Bulls escaped from their two game set in the Hat with a 10-9 hang on for dear life win on Thursday night.  The Bulls held leads of 8-1 and 10-4 only to see the Mavericks rally late in the game to make it very interesting.

Bulls starter Brandon Petite was effective through four innings giving up only 1 run while striking out 7 and walking 3.  He battled his way out of trouble a couple of times with some great pitches to stimie the Medicine Hat squad.  Meanwhile, the Bulls offence had two big innings, a 3 run third and a 5 run 5th to secure what appeared to be a comfortable lead.  Stephen Hobbins (2), Eric Dorton, and Dustin Bissonnette all had RBI's in the 5th.

Bulls ace reliever Richard Pharr entered the game in the 5th as Petite's pitch count was up, and pitched two stellar innings in relief and picked up the win.  Jimmy Munnil pitched the 7th but did not have control of his off speed stuff this night and gave up a three spot to bring the Hat to within 4.  The Bulls answered in the top of the 8th with a 2 run shot by Jesse Sawyer to increase the lead to 10-4.  Munnil started the bottom of the 8th but after a lead off single followed by a walk, Bulls Manager Scott Rhodes had seen enough and went to utility pitcher Scott Hornstra.  Hornstra finished the 8th but not before 5 Medicine Hat runs had scored giving the Mavericks momentum heading into the 9th.

The 9th inning went by quick for the Bulls, as they were retired 1-2-3 by the Mavericks.  In the bottom of the 9th, the Mavericks got their lead off man on base and advanced him into scoring position with a bunt but back to back come backers to Hornstra ended the game and gave the Bulls some additional breathing room in 2nd place in the Western Division of the WMBL with a 17-14 record.  The Mavericks dropped to 11-18 and occupy the basement of the Western Division.