Falcons bounce back from opening day loss

Revenge can sometimes be exquisite. Following their disastrous 17-0 opening loss to Ingraham, the Falcon baseball team beat Sedro-Woolley for a 1-0 victory over the same guys that knocked the Falcons out of the playoffs last May.

March 21, 2007 1:00 pm
A Falcon player tries to keep his eyes on the prize as he practices the art of the bunt Saturday at Falcon Field as Trapper Rawls catches despite constant drizzle and cold temperatures. After victories over Sedro-Woolley and Sultan
A Falcon player tries to keep his eyes on the prize as he practices the art of the bunt Saturday at Falcon Field as Trapper Rawls catches despite constant drizzle and cold temperatures. After victories over Sedro-Woolley and Sultan

Revenge can sometimes be exquisite.

Following their disastrous 17-0 opening loss to Ingraham, the Falcon baseball team beat Sedro-Woolley for a 1-0 victory over the same guys that knocked the Falcons out of the playoffs last May.

“The baseball team turned in a gem Thursday afternoon against Sedro Woolley,” said Falcon Coach Dave Guetlin. “It was a little payback for the Falcons as the Cubs from Sedro ended our season last year.”

Monday, the team moved into a 2-1 overall record with an 8-7 victory over Sultan.

The Sedro-Woolley game was a pitchers’ duel with Lakota Holder going the distance on the mound, picking up his first win of the season.

Holder was almost unhitable until the fifth inning.

“Lakota on the game gave up four hits while striking out 10 batters on the day,” Guetlin said.

The Falcons picked up the game-winning run in the top of the sixth.

Danny Parra got a one-out single to left field and was moved to second on a Joey Smith single.

With Smith and Parra then on base, Paul Saelens had the blow of the day with a ground ball single to left to score Parra from second. Parra had a tremendous slide at the plate that saved the run.

Saturday, the team practiced in the mud but were in good spirits later in the locker room as Tami Fallon wielded her hair clippers, giving a close Army buzzcut to each player and the coaches to honor Colton Wilson, who is still undergoing cancer therapy.

A serious purpose didn’t prevent the boys from admiring their newly-shorn pates with the requisite catcalls and grins.

South Whidbey began a three-game set with Sultan Monday, winning the first 8-7.

The game was originally scheduled to be played at Sultan, but due to bad weather was moved to South Whidbey.

The Falcons showed their mettle by coming from behind for the victory.

“Sultan picked up four runs in the top of the first on two doubles and three singles,” Guetlin reported.

“In the bottom of the first the Birds came right back picking up three runs of their own from Parra and Nick Tenuta. Joey Smith followed with a walk to load the bases and then singles by Saelens and CJ Baker scored the three runs,” he said.

Jason Shoudy picked up his first win of the season and saw his first action turning in five solid innings on the hill. Shoudy got stronger as the game went on after some first inning jitters, Guetlin said.

Today, the Falcons travel to Sultan instead of the originally scheduled home game.

At 4 p.m. Monday, March 26 the team welcomes Lakewood to Falcon Field.

Jeff VanDerford can be reached at 221-5300 or sports@southwhidbeyrecord.com.