KLAMATH FALLS, Ore – The Klamath Falls Falcons (5-2; 3-1) lost the opener, but rallied for a win in the nightcap against the defending Oregon State Champion Central Point Comets (9-1; 5-1). Here is how each game unfolded…
GAME 1: Central Point 5, Klamath Falls 3
Carson Pimely hit a three-run home run, but the Falcons saw that lead evaporate in the sixth inning, after a defensive breakdown led to six errors by the Klamath Falls squad, resulting in five unearned runs and the loss.
This contest was a pitchers’ duel, as neither team scored until the bottom of the fifth inning. P.J. Safford was hit by a pitch to open the inning, followed later by a single from Carson Siems. Pimely smashed his first homer of the season over the left field fence to give the Falcons a 3-0 lead. Klamath Falls would flirt with adding more insurance, but left the bases loaded to end the inning.
Those runners left on base would come back to haunt the Falcons, who collapsed defensively in the next half inning. Mason Snopl started the inning with a routine single, but when Morgan Austin hit a ground ball to third, the train left the tracks as two errors on the same play allowed two runners into scoring position. Another error in the next at-bat got both runners across, and the Comets would take a lead when another throwing error in the infield allowed a run to score from second base. The final nail was the Falcons committing two errors on the same play for the second time in the inning, allowing the fifth unearned run of the inning to score.
Despite not allowing an earned run, Safford was hung with his first loss of the season, going 5.1 innings, allowing eight hits and striking out three batters. The win was awarded to Snopl, who tossed a complete game, allowing five hits, three runs, and recording seven strikeouts.
Offensively, Carson Pimley’s three-run homer accounted for all of the Falcons’ output in the game, but Conner Shively also went 2-3, extending his hitting streak to six games to start the season. For Central Point, notables include a 2-4 day from Snopl with a run scored, and Caleb Cornett was 2-3 with a run scored.
GAME 2: Klamath Falls 5, Central Point 4
After the Falcons saw the opener of a double header slip through their fingertips, they wouldn’t let it happen again. A pair of late-inning rallies punctuated by a walk-off single from P.J. Safford earned Klamath Falls the victory in the nightcap.
Central Point waited until the fourth inning to knock in the first run of the game when Andy Sweet hit a sacrifice fly. The Comets added two more runs in the top of the sixth off the bat of Sweet, building out a 3-0 lead against Klamath Falls.
With their backs against the wall in the bottom of the sixth, Jacoby Tacchini singled to right field, followed later by a Safford single. Corbin Hamilton knocked in the first run for Klamath Falls on a single to center field. After Carson Pimley reached on an error later in the frame, Ryan Douglas came to bat with the bases loaded and two outs. Douglas blasted the ball to left-center field, knocking in two runs to tie the game. Pimley later scored on a wild pitch, giving the Falcons a 4-3 lead heading to the seventh.
In the seventh inning, the Falcons were greeted with the same demons that plagued them in the first game, when a two-out error allowed two runners into scoring position. Zack Harrington later knocked in a run and tied the game going to the bottom of the inning. But the Falcons refocused, as Conner Shively reached on a walk and advanced to scoring position when Ian Meyer was hit by a pitch. Safford then hit a weak fly ball to right field, but it was all Shively needed to reach home, and the Falcons were walkoff winners.
Despite great starting pitching, neither starter got a decision. Hamilton earned the win, recording only the final out of the seventh inning. Alex Johnson earned the loss for the Comets, working 0.2 innings and allowing one run.
Offensively, the Falcons got key contributions from Douglas, who finished 3-3 with two RBI and a double, Safford was 2-4 with an RBI, and Jacoby Tacchini finished 2-3. Shively was 1-3 with a run scored, and extended his current hitting streak to seven games. For Central Point, Sweet was 2-3 with two RBI, and Zack Harrington was 1-3 with an RBI. Alex Johnson was 2-4 with a run scored and a double.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The Central Point Comets will lick their wounds before heading to Fairbanks, Alaska, on June 21st to compete in the Lions’ Midnight Sun Matchup. The Falcons have one more game on the current homestand when they host the Post 58 Crushers (Stayton). First pitch on this single 9-inning game is set for 6:30 p.m. on June 17th at Kiger Stadium. The Falcons will then head out on the road for Area doubleheaders against Grants Pass and South Medford.