WCL Kelowna Falcons

Falcons Win Finale in 11

August 10, 2015 - West Coast League (WCL)
Kelowna Falcons News Release


Kelowna Falcons
Kelowna Falcons
(Kelowna Falcons, Credit: Kyle Anderson)

The Kelowna Falcons enjoyed a lovely afternoon BBQ with Billy Clontz's friends, before finishing off a Sweep of the Walla Walla Sweets with a 12-9, 11-inning victory Sunday night.

The Falcons scored in the top half of the 1st and 2nd innings to go up 2-0. Ben Gamba had a Sac Fly for the opening run, before Dalton Blackwell singled in another.

The Sweets would score 4 times off Spencer Applebach in the 2nd on the strength of 5 hits to go up by a 4-2 score. Applebach would work 4 innings, allowing 5 hits and just those 4 runs. He went 3 up, 3 down in his other 3 innings.

Kelowna responded in the 5th inning with 3 runs to take a 6-4 lead. Matt Hearn cashed Blackwell with a base hit, Gamba got his 2nd RBI of the night with a triple, and Brandon Oliver grounded out to score the 6th run.

Walla Walla responded immediately with 3 of their own, scoring 1 on an RBI double from Kyle Nixon, and 2 on an RBI single from Nick Halamandaris.

The Falcons tied the ballgame up in the 8th when a single from Joey Crunkilton scored Josh Egan. After Dalton Blackwell lined out, Lane Lacrone came up with his 48th hit, a double to tie for 7th on the single-season hits list.

His double scored a pair, and a strong relay caught Lacrone trying for a triple. Falcons lead 9-7 heading to the bottom of the 8th.

The Sweets closed the gap once again, scoring once in the 8th, before Matthew Kirk got a 1-2-3 Double Play with the bases loaded to end the frame with Kelowna ahead by 1.

Walla Walla would get an RBI single from Dylan Wilbert to tie the game in the 9th, and send the finale of the regular season to extras for the second time in the series.

After no scoring in the 10th inning, Lacrone drew a 1-out walk to get aboard. On a 1-0 count to Hearn, Lacrone stole 2nd base and proceeded to 3rd after the ball rolled away a few feet. Hearn would double in the run as Kelowna went ahead 10-9.

The Falcons added 2 more in the inning, as Gamba tripled for the 2nd time on the night, driving in his 4th run, and Kyle Plantier picked up an RBI.

A scary incident in the bottom half as Plantier and Vinny Esposito collided going after a fly ball in right. Both would remain in the game, and Jayse Bannister would finish off the inning, picking up his 5th win.

The Falcons will play the Bellingham Bells in the 1st round of the WCL playoffs starting Tuesday in Bellingham for Game 1. You can listen live with Kyle Anderson at www.kelownafalcons.com/listen-live.

Kelowna will host Game 2 on Wednesday night at 6:35, and Game 3 (if necessary) Thursday night, also at 6:35. Tickets are available at the gate.




Images from this story

Kelowna Falcons
Kelowna Falcons
(Kyle Anderson)		   



West Coast League Stories from August 10, 2015


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