Pacific League Champions: 1997-1999, 2002-2008, 2012-2014, 2016-2018
CIF Division I Champions: 1998
The Falcons finished off what they started Tuesday night and crushed the Apaches hopes of sharing the Pacific League title with a 2-0 win, and finish league with a perfect 14-0 record.
On this dreary night at Stengel, Will Grimm managed to keep the clouds hanging only over the Apache hitters as he shone brightly on the mound. Grimm had an amazing performance tonight allowing only 3 hits during his 7 inning complete game. Grimm took his game to another level tonight with his intensity and attack of the Apache offense. Never backing down from the challenge of the big moment, he continually made the right pitch at the right time to eliminate any threats that Apache's posed.
The defense behind Grimm were also on point tonight as well. In particular, Jamie Bleveans had the hands working at the hot corner tonight, making a number of key outs for the Falcons. JD Schaffer and Vincent Parrott had solid performances in the infield as well.
Offense was sparce for the Falcons, but they finally broke through in the bottom of the 5th inning when Lorenzo Respicio led off the inning with a base hit. Cody Cancelosi then layed down a nice sacrifice bunt to move Respicio to 2nd. A walk by Isaac Sung set the stage for Grimm. Grimm roped a ball towards the 2nd baseman who made a diving play on the ball, flipped the ball to 2nd base for the out. The shortstop then attempted the throw to 1st base, for the inning ending double play, but threw the ball away. That allowed Respicio, who had aggressively rounded 3rd base on the play, to continue home for the first run of the game.
The 6th inning saw the Falcons looking for some insurance runs and they were able to cash in on that wish. Trevor Beer led off the inning with a walk and was then replaced by the speedy Colby Rees to pinch run for him. Brian Erickson stepped up to the plate hungry to do some damage, after just missing in previous at bats. He did not disappoint the large crowd and hit a frozen rope to the fence in the right-center gap. Rees was able to motor his way all the way home for the all important insurance run. The insurance run ultimately wasn't needed and the Falcons put the game away for the title.
What a great week for the Falcon players and coaches. They started the week as underdogs against the nationally ranked Apaches, who were so close to a perfect season, they could taste it. They ended the week as the top dogs and left their rivals in utter disbelief of the title slipping through their fingers. Congratulations gentleman! You earned this title with hard work, class, humility, and never giving up on each other. I had an absolute blast watching it!!!
Enjoy the pics.
See you at the next game!
Falcons vs. Arcadia
5/11/2018
Stengel Field
CIF Quarterfinalist: 2001, 2007, 2014
CIF Semifinalist: 2015
