The Falcons finally got their first win, after going back and forth with Barstow College. It took the Falcons having the last at bat to seal up the victory, as it was an offensive battle between both sides. Spencer Hammond got his first action for the Falcons, as he started on the mound for West Hills College. Things didn't go as planned for Hammond as he gave up singles to the first four hitters he faced in the first inning. After spotting the Vikings a four run lead, Hammond and Brandon Barker held Barstow scoreless for five innings to allow the Falcons to get back into the game.
West Hills scored one run in the 2nd, as Torin Miller scored on a single by Jeff Torres followed by an error by the Barstow left fielder. Then in the bottom of the fourth, Trent Bollman reached on a walk and stole second. He then scored on a RBI single by Torres. After Torin Miller was hit by a pitch, and Jake Lorenzini walked, Scotty Ingle hit a RBI sacrifice fly. Torres then scored on a passed ball, which tied the score at 4-4.
Torin Miller replaced Barker in the top of the 6th on the mound and quickly got into trouble. After giving up a single, Barstow scored a run on an error by right fielder Brandon Hernandez. After a RBI single by the Vikings, Barstow increased their lead to 6-4.
The Falcons answered back quickly as Miller singled to center, and was replaced on the bases by Dazohn Gilchrist. Torres then hit a single that bounced off the second baseman's glove, which allowed Gilchrist to advance all the way home. After a single by Lorenzini, Torres and Lorenzini were brought home on a ground ball hit by Matt Siedem that was misplayed by the Barstow third baseman. After advancing to second on the error, Siedem then took third and eventually scored on two passed balls, giving West Hills College an 8-6 lead.
The Falcons bullpen continued to struggle as they gave up three runs in the top of the 7th to make the score 9-8 in favor of Barstow. That score held up until the bottom of the 8th when Scotty Ingle started the inning with a single. The Falcons then got three consectutive walks, a fielder's choice, and a wild pitch which brought home three runs, making the score 11-9.
The Falcons brought in closer Matt Siedem, who threw a scoreless eighth inning, but gave up a walk to lead off the ninth. After getting the next batter out, Siedem gave up a RBI triple to Jonah Yang, who was then brought home on a double by Mitch Hulse, which tied the score. The Falcons came up in the 9th and Torres led off the inning with a walk. After a Lorenzini single, Scotty Ingle laid down a drag bunt which was misplayed by the third baseman, who made a wild throw to first. After the ball got by the first baseman, Torres was able to score the winning run.
The Falcons will host Lassen College next week in a doubleheader on Friday February 10th @ 10am.