Falcons Find Silver Linings in Sierra Series Loss
The Folsom Lake College Falcons baseball team may have come up short in their three-game series against the Sierra College Wolverines, but the squad showed flashes of brilliance, promising young talent, and a whole lot of heart.
Game 1 (April 2) – Falcons Fall 14-3, But Bats Stay Hot
Despite a 14-3 loss in the opener, the Falcons' offense racked up 10 hits and played error-free defense. Micah Kendrick continued his strong season, going 2-for-4 with an RBI double. Julian Clevelle added two hits of his own, including a double, and Dylan Green also chipped in a multi-hit performance.
Trajan Rogowski led off the game with energy, scoring twice and swiping a base, while Quincy Malbrough knocked in a run with a sharp single in the third. Though the Sierra bats exploded late in the game, Folsom Lake's young pitching staff showed resilience, with freshman Elijah Rheem tossing a scoreless eighth inning in relief.
Game 2 (April 3) – Kendrick Powers Falcons with Homer in 13-5 Loss
Folsom Lake came out swinging in Game 2, grabbing a 4-3 lead in the third inning thanks to a two-run homer by Kendrick and a two-RBI double by Asa Martinez. Kendrick's longball was his first of the season, a no-doubt shot that gave the Falcons a much-needed spark.
Julian Clevelle continued to anchor the offense with another multi-hit game, while sophmore Higen Hatayama doubled in his first at-bat of the series. On the mound, Jayke Brower impressed in his appearance, tossing a clean final frame with two strikeouts.
Despite a big sixth inning from Sierra, the Falcons battled to the end, plating one more run in the ninth on an RBI single from Justin Menesini.
Game 3 (April 4) – Pitching Staff Holds Strong in 6-2 Finale
In the series finale, Folsom Lake put up a competitive fight in a 6-2 defeat. The Falcons jumped on the board early with a run in the second and another in the sixth. The team collected eight hits, with Martinez and Kendrick again leading the way.
On the mound, the Falcons' pitching staff showed poise. Starter Nick Haas was sharp through four innings, and relievers N. Lawrie and Dylan Warren held Sierra to just one run over the final three frames.
The defense remained flawless for the second time in the series, with several double plays and heads-up baserunning keeping the Falcons in striking distance.
While the box scores tell one story, the Falcons' determination, flashes of offensive power, and improved defensive play are signs of a team on the rise. With standout performances from leaders like Kendrick and emerging contributors like Martinez and Hatayama, Folsom Lake is laying the groundwork for a strong finish to the season.
Up next, the Falcons look to bounce back as they prepare for a new series. One thing's for sure — this team doesn't go down without a fight.