Photo Credit: Inside the Lines Photography
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore – The Klamath Falls Falcons (2-10; 8-21) snapped a nine-game losing streak in a win against the Grants Pass Nuggets (4-8; 7-20) with a split in a doubleheader.
GRANTS PASS 6, KLAMATH FALLS 5
The Falcons’ rally to steal a win came up short as the Nuggets edged Klamath Falls to win the season series.
The Nuggets drew first blood in the first inning as Keller Bloodworth hit a sacrifice fly to score Cole Carnes.
The Falcons plated four runs in the second inning, including a two-RBI double from Carson Pimley and an RBI single from Carson Siems. Grants Pass reclaimed the lead in the fourth inning when they scored five runs. The Falcons responded with a single run in the fifth inning when Kollin Tacchini scored on a ground ball.
Klamath Falls tried to rally for a win in the bottom of the seventh and loaded the bases, but a groundout to second base extinguished the Falcons’ chances in the opener.
P.J. Safford and Corbin Hamilton each had three hits in the loss. Pimley was 2-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Tacchini, Siems, and Marcos Ulloa-Ford each had singles in the game. For the Nuggets, Jack Matthew and Jace Elzy were 2-3 with a run scored. Dane Kissel added a double and a run scored.
On the mound Logan Zavolta collected the win, pitching 6.0 innings and allowing 10 hits and five runs. Dylan DeJong was the losing pitcher after 5.2 innings of work giving up four hits and six runs and walking five.
GAME 2: KLAMATH FALLS 6, GRANTS PASS 3
Marcos Ulloa-Ford held the Nuggets at bay on the mound, and did damage with his bat to help his squad to their second Area 4 win of the season.
The Nuggets pulled ahead in the fourth inning with a double from Dane Kissel to knock in two runs and make the score 3-2 in favor of Grants Pass. The Falcons added a single run in the bottom of the fourth.
Klamath Falls battled to take the lead in the fifth inning beginning with back to back singles from Ryan Glidden and Carson Pimley. Carson Siems moved each runner over with a sacrifice bunt, then P.J. Safford poked a two RBI double down the right field line to give the Falcons a one run lead. Ulloa-Ford smashed a towering homerun to make the score 6-3, which would hold for the Falcons win.
Ulloa-Ford was stellar in the start on the mound, going a complete 7.0 innings allowing seven hits, three runs, and striking out nine batters. Tyler Ireland got the loss for Grants Pass allowing four runs and four hits in 2.0 innings.
The Falcons totaled seven hits in the contest with Ulloa-Ford turning in the only multi-hit day going 2-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. Safford was 1-3 with two RBI. Kollin Tacchini and Corbin Hamilton each had RBI in the win. Glidden, Jacoby Tacchini, and Pimley each added one hit. Three Nuggets had two hits: Cole Carnes, Luke Morgan, and A.J. Elzy.
WHATS NEXT?
The Falcons will look to start a winning streak on the road when they visit the Medford Mustangs on Monday for more Area 4 action. First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m. from North Medford High School. Follow the Falcons with standings, schedules, and live streams at https://www.mybasin.com/falcons/