ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Klamath Falls Falcons (17-4-1) defeated the Service Cougars (7-4) in the semifinal, but fell to the Madisonville Rangers (11-5-1) in the title game of the Alaska 529 Midseason Classic at Mulcahy Stadium. Here is how each game unfolded…
SEMIFINAL: Klamath Falls 5, Service 3
A fifth-inning rally led the Falcons to a comeback victory over the defending Alaska state champion Service Cougars in the semifinal.
After Service scored a run in the top of the first inning on an RBI groundout from Landon Martindale, both offenses were quiet until the pivotal fifth frame.
Service grew their lead in the top half of the inning, when Martindale singled on a groundball to center field, knocking in two runs. Down 3-0, the Falcons used two errors to score three runs, with Corbin Hamilton and P.J. Safford picking up RBI.
Another late error for Service proved to be costly, as Ryan Douglas reached base to begin the sixth inning. He would later score on a passed ball, giving the Falcons a one-run advantage. Jacoby Tacchini added an RBI on a single later in the frame.
Kollin Tacchini was solid on the mound, picking up his third win of the summer, going 6.0 innings and allowing eight hits, three runs, and striking out three batters. Hamilton earned his second save, pitching the final inning, allowing one hit and punching out one.
Offensively, Price was 1-4 with two runs scored, J. Tacchini was 1-4 with an RBI, and Carson Siems was 2-2. Martindale finished 2-4 with three RBI for Service.
FINAL: Madisonville 1, Klamath Falls 0
An unearned run in the top of the sixth inning sunk the Falcons in the title game of the Alaska 529 Midseason Classic.
This title game served as a rubber match between the Falcons and the Kentucky squad, as they met twice at the Todd Ryan Memorial Tournament in Wasilla earlier in the week.
An error to open the sixth inning, allowing Xzavier Martin to reach base, was all the Rangers needed. A single from Jaelin Groves later scored the lone run of the ballgame. Madisonville became the first Kentucky team to win the tournament.
The starting pitcher for the Rangers, Jax Lee, was undeniable in the championship bout. Lee earned the tournament’s Top Pitcher award for his efforts in the win, tossing a complete game and only allowing two hits while striking out six batters. Max Price suffered the loss despite holding the Rangers to two hits in 2.1 innings without allowing an earned run.
While Lee won the Top Pitcher award, the Falcons cleaned up the rest of the individual awards at the tournament. Conner Shively earned the Gold Glove Award, becoming the first Oregonian ever to earn the honor. Price is the first Oregon player to earn the Big Stick Award since Klamath Falls’ Brian Kinsman in 2000.
Corbin Hamilton earned tournament MVP, joining Eugene’s Eli Crist (2023) as the only Oregonians to earn the top prize. Hamilton hit .455 during the weekend and led the tournament with six RBI. His work on the mound also helped, as he tossed 5.2 innings of scoreless ball in Anchorage, fanning seven batters.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The Falcons will return home to Kiger Stadium on July 1st for an Area double-header against the Grants Pass Diggers. First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m. with coverage available on 104.3 FM & 960 AM and mybasin.com.
