contributions from Mike Safford, photo credit: Inside the Lines Photography
MEDFORD, Ore – Playing 12 hours after their Wednesday night win over Eugene, the Falcons (6-10) dropped a 7-1 decision to Grants Pass at Lithia & Driveway Fields, followed by a 9-2 loss to Chico at North Medford High. The Basin squad combined for just four hits on the day – as four GP pitchers held the Falcons to two hits, while UC Davis commit Zach Story used his 90-plus mile-per-hour fastball to take a no-hitter into the sixth.
GAME 1: GRANTS PASS 7, KLAMATH FALLS 1
In the morning contest, Klamath took a 1-0 lead in the first, as Mark Carpenter doubled and scored on a wild pitch. The Nuggets would follow with seven unanswered runs – taking the lead in the second on a Luke Morgan 2-out, 2-run triple, while getting RBI doubles from Alijah Zauher and Cole Carnes in the fourth to break the game open.
Carson Pimley took the loss, allowing four earned runs on six hits in three innings of work. P.J. Safford had the Falcons other hit, a fourth inning leadoff single.
GAME 2: CHICO 9, KLAMATH FALLS 2
In Game 2, Story was the story – working around two walks and four strikeouts in six stellar innings. He was helped by his defense, as centerfielder Ryan Giovannoni made a great running catch to take away a Max Price hit in the first and Kevin Day made a diving catch to take extra-bases away from Safford in the fifth.
Alonzo Salado broke the game open in the fifth, slicing a 2-out, bases-clearing double into the right field corner to give the Nuts an 8-0 lead. Price broke up the no-hit bid with a sixth inning double, with the Falcons taking advantage of two seventh inning errors to plate two runs on a Ryan Glidden single.
Corbin Hamilton took the loss, allowing seven runs on seven hits, walking five, in three-plus innings.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The Falcons continue tournament play tomorrow, meeting the Fairfield Expos at 3:30 p.m. They’ll play Reno on Saturday and Roseburg on Sunday. The Falcons return to Area 4 league play on Monday when they visit the Eugene Challengers at 5:00 p.m.
