Falcons Hold Off Late Raiders Charge To Win 6-4

Tuesday night’s HSBN Fall Classic featured an elite matchup between the Falcons and Raiders.

With the help of sophomore pitcher Hunter Platts and an offense that banged out 12 hits, the host Falcons came away with a 6-4 win.

“We got the hits when we needed them,” Falcons manager Ray Evans said. “We always try to work the count. We want to see a lot of pitches. Offensively we did a great job.”

Platts and the Falcons’ defense held the Raiders to five scoreless innings. He gave up just four hits and stranded five men on base.

“Platts did a tremendous job” said coach Evans. “He did a real good job just throwing strikes, and it kept us in the game. He made them earn everything they had, and didn’t make a lot of mistakes tonight.”

The Raiders created scoring chances often, putting 17 men on base,  but were snubbed away by the Falcons defense or stranded on base.

The Falcons scored in the second after Melendez got on after his grounder was mishandled. Andres Visbal’s sacrifice fly brought him in.

The Falcons attacked again in the third with a Ryan Dodge’s single that brought in AJ Munoz for a two run lead.

Melendez started the fourth inning with a double to center field and found his way to third with a single by Oscar Rodriguez. Miguel Preson followed with a grounder to second base for a double play, but it allowed Melendez to run home and expand the lead.

It seemed all hope was lost for the Raiders until a surge of hitting to start the six led by Teddy Meissner put the Raiders within reach. Meissner’s RBI single drove in Christian Dembry for the Raiders’ first run of the evening, and started an array of hitting to put the Raiders one run away from a tied ball game.

The Falcons however had plans of their own in the six. Melendez singled up the middle for his second hit of the night. Rodriguez then held his bat and was walked. Freshman Erick Rivera belted a double into center field, bringing in Melendez and Rodriguez. Daniel Oliveri brought in Rivera with a double of his own, giving the Falcons a 6-3 lead

The Raiders’ Carter White lad off to start the seventh and jumped on base after being walked. Rafa Amanau singled to left field, giving the Raiders hope of a rally. Alec Byrd single down the middle, but the Falcons were able to hold the runners. With bases loaded, Meissner came up to the plate and was walked, bringing in White. The rally was in full swing until the Falcons forced their third double play of the night and an infield fly to hold onto the win.

“We didn’t do enough things in the game to deserve to win,” Raiders manager Troy Cameron said. “We’re going to be aggressive on the bases and put some pressure on the other team. We got some really good hitters, so I’m excited to see what we can do in the spring. And in the long run, you’re going to make mistakes. Why not make them in fall ball?”

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