Falcons Rally for Walk-Off Win
July 27, 2014 - West Coast League (WCL)
Yakima Valley Pippins News Release
KELOWNA, B.C. - Fresh off a series-opening win Friday in Kelowna, the Yakima Valley Pippins took a tough 11-10 walk-off loss to the Falcons Saturday night at Elks Stadium.
In the early innings, the Pippins (23-18) appeared to be in full control, using a four-run 1 st inning and a three-run 4 th to build a 7-2 lead against Kelowna (14-27). However, the Falcons answered back in the bottom of the 4 th against Yakima Valley starter Andrew Woods, scoring five times to tie the game at 7-7.
The Pippins quickly retook the lead, using a wild throw to first base by reliever Brett Solano in the top of the 5 th to gain an 8-7 lead. However, the Falcons came back again against reliever Nick Suniga in the bottom of the 6 th. After striking out the first two men he faced, Suniga surrendered two-out double to Jerod Smith, before Josh Croft hit a two-run home run to dead center field to put the Falcons up for the first time all season against Yakima Valley at 9-8.
After adding a run on a throwing error in the bottom of the 8 th, the Pippins rallied against Solano in the 9 th. Ryan Yamane's RBI single brought the Pippins to within one run at 10-9, before Alex Guenette delivered a safety squeeze bunt to tie the game at 10.
Austin Hansen took over on the mound in the bottom of the 9 th and gave up a leadoff single to Nick Minteer, who moved to 2 nd after a sacrifice bunt. After a walk put two aboard with one out, Will Fox stepped and delivered a walk-off single to left-center field.
The Falcons beat Yakima Valley for the first time in five meetings this season and ended their short three-game losing streak. The two squads will meet in the rubber match Sunday evening at 6:05 p.m. with Brandon Williams expected to make the start for the Pippins.
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