Baseball loses 2-1 in Big 8 opener
A good old-fashioned pitcher's duel came down to a play at the plate on Tuesday afternoon, and when the dust settled, Falcon John Mook was out at home on a perfect throw from right field, giving Diablo Valley a tense 2-1 win over the Falcons at Falcon Field in a Big 8 Conference opener for both teams. Falcon starter Tyler Cochran and Viking starter Rob Towne went toe-to-toe for seven innings as they baffled the opposition with great pitching. With the score tied 1-1 in the fifth inning, Cochran gave up a leadoff walk that he'd probably like to have back. The runner advanced on a sacrifice bunt and eventually scored on a two-out single that proved to be the difference in the game. Meanwhile, the Vikings' Towne was throwing a gem, allowing just four Falcon hits while striking out 10 in his seven innings. Still, the Falcons had a chance in the ninth inning when pinch hitter Jason Fackrell led off with a walk. John Mook followed with a bunt single and the Falcons were in business with leading hitter Michael Farley at the plate. Farley hit a hard shot to short, but the Vikings were able to get the lead runner in a force out at third. After Aidan Malm was hit by a pitch, the Falcons had the bases loaded with the tying run on third - and winning run on second - with just one out and cleanup hitter Josh Winkler coming to bat. Winkler promptly smoked a sinking liner to right that Viking right fielder Logan Nonies charged and caught at knee-height. With the speedy Mook tagging at third, Nonies' throw to home had to be perfect…and it was, as the sliding Mook was tagged out in a bang-bang play at the plate to end the game.
The loss ended the Falcons' win streak at eight and dropped their record to 12-2, still the best start in program history. The team will look to rebound on Wednesday when they play at DVC for game two of their three game series. The third game, scheduled for Friday afternoon at FLC, will likely be postponed due to weather. No makeup date has been announced at this time.