Falcons Start Strong but Fall Short as Sacramento City Rallies to Take Series
The Folsom Lake Falcons fought valiantly in back-to-back games against Sacramento City, but ultimately fell short in both contests, as the Panthers showcased their offensive power to take the series.
Game 2: Late Surge Lifts Sacramento City Past Falcons, 9-6
Playing at home on February 27, the Falcons got off to a strong start, taking an early 3-1 lead by the second inning. Trajan Rogowski and Michael Ryan contributed key hits, while Asa Martinez added an RBI to push Folsom Lake ahead.
However, Sacramento City responded in the third inning with a two-run single by Eddie Fines to tie the game at three. The Panthers seized the momentum in the fifth when Levi Sotomayor crushed a two-run home run to give his team a 5-4 lead. They continued to add insurance runs in the seventh inning, capitalizing on Folsom Lake's errors and wild pitches to put the game out of reach.
Folsom Lake attempted a comeback in the eighth, scoring twice to cut the deficit to 9-6, but Sacramento City's bullpen held firm, with Landon Dodge closing the door in the ninth to secure the win.
Game 3: Falcons Fall in Walk-Off Thriller, 13-12
The second game of the series on February 28 at Sacramento City was nothing short of dramatic. Folsom Lake's offense exploded early, with a grand slam from Connor Barth in the third inning pushing them to a 7-1 lead. They maintained their advantage with a three-run fifth inning, highlighted by a two-run double from Quincy Malbrough, making it 10-2.
The Panthers refused to go quietly, though, clawing back in the seventh with a five-run inning that included RBI contributions from Tyson Mayberry, Eddie Fines, and Jackson Norton. Folsom Lake still held a 12-8 lead heading into the ninth, but Sacramento City's relentless attack proved too much. A bases-loaded single from Jackson Blakley tied the game at 12-12 before Levi Sotomayor delivered a walk-off hit, completing an incredible comeback.
Takeaways for Folsom Lake
Despite the losses, Folsom Lake showed resilience and offensive depth throughout the series. Rogowski and Barth provided key offensive sparks, while Malbrough and Ryan delivered in clutch situations. However, defensive miscues and bullpen struggles allowed Sacramento City to capitalize on extra opportunities.
The Falcons will look to regroup and bounce back in their next series, taking valuable lessons from these hard-fought battles against a tough Sacramento City squad.