Falcons’ season
ends against Tigers
It was a season of “oh, so close” for the Falcons as they dropped their second straight district playoff game in another hard fought, one-run decision, 3-2 to Burlington on Tuesday.
The loss ended the baseball season for South Whidbey.
In Anacortes, the Falcons jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the second inning. Aaron Mannie picked up a one-out walk for the Falcons and moved all the way to third on an Eric Sparks base hit down the right field line. Then the Falcons pulled a little trickery as the runner took off from first and stopped half way to second base.
When the Tigers tried to get the out at second, Robert Boenish scampered home with the go ahead run. CJ Baker kept the Tiger bats in check on the mound until the fourth inning.
After a one-out double, Tiger first baseman Tyler McLeod launched a blast over the center field fence making it 2-1 Burlington.
South Whidbey quickly came back to tie the game up in the top of the fifth for the second straight day with two outs. A two-out walk to Jon Adams and back-to-back singles by Lucas Yale and Robert Kirby knotted the game at 2-all.
With Falcon pitchers being shorthanded and tired from extra innings the night before, they just couldn’t shut the door as Burlington scored what would be the winning run in the fifth inning after three straight hits.
“Things certainly look optimistic for the Falcons next season as they will return almost every starter, though three seniors will definitely be missed — outfielder Boenish, third baseman and pitcher Baker and catcher Mannie,” said Falcon coach Dave Guetlin.
“With the Falcon baseball team starting the year with zero returning pitchers with varsity experience and only four defensive starters, it was a time of rebuilding that found the Falcons growing so much as a team that by season’s end they became Cinderellas, knocking off the top teams and making it into the play-offs by defeating Anacortes in a loser out game for the right to go to district,” the coach added.
It could have been very easy the first half of the season to pack it in and start pointing fingers at each other, Guetlin said. That didn’t happen.
“It shows the quality of kids we now have and how hard they are willing to work. This should make us one of the favorites in the league next season,” he added.
“In all my years of coaching I don’t think I’ve had a more gratifying season seeing each and every player grow and improve so much.”
Register now for Mudder bike race
The ninth installment of the classic Whidbey Island Mudder bicycle race is coming this month.
The annual event will start at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 18 at the track off Coles Road in Langley.
“The Mudder is a favorite among local riders, with a $3,000 prize purse, awesome barbecue sandwiches for lunch and great music to keep riders and their friends going throughout the day,” said organizer Robert Fry.
The activities will go until the food and drink are gone or the last racer crosses the finish line. Racers from South Whidbey under 15 can race free as long as they’re accompanied by a parent or guardian.
“One Speed Promotions is waiving the entire entry fee for local riders who are under 15 because we want to encourage their participation,” Fry said.
This year, the Mudder is sponsored by Half Link Bicycle Shop, Jerry Beck and Company, Cozy’s and Heggenes Arboreal. For information, call Fry at 321-5884 or visit www.onespeedpromotions.com.
Falcon girls lose final season game
Cedarcrest won 12-2 Wednesday during the South Whidbey fastpitch softball team’s final home game.
In the second inning, the Falcons’ Natasha Roberts — having picked up her league-leading 17th steal — and Mel Marin scored on a sacrifice bunt by Allison Wood.
South Whidbey turned a triple play in the fifth inning that was triggered by an infield fly ball and finished at second base with two base runners being tagged out.
Cedarcrest standout Hillary Barker fired a three-run homer in the third inning to put the game on ice. Samantha Boelter added another five RBIs for the Red Wolves.
South Whidbey seniors Amanda Spalding and Roberts were honored before the game for their team efforts.
At 4 p.m. Monday, May 12 the girls meet Mount Baker for a district crossover game.
