Softball splits with Yuba in season finale

The Falcons headed to Yuba College on Tuesday for their season-ending doubleheader against the 49ers with the goal of ending the season on a high note.  They set the tone early, scoring five runs in the first inning, but then gave up three in the bottom half.  After two scoreless frames, the Falcons put up a seven spot in the fourth inning to take a 12-3 lead which they would never relinquish.  Led by Bree Martinez' three hits and Bell Gomez' complete-game three-hitter, the Falcons played their best softball of the season in the 5-inning, 12-3 win.

A pitchers' duel between former teammates Hailee Gall and Tori Stevens ensued in game 2 as neither team scored until the fourth inning, when Yuba took a 2-1 lead.  The 49ers added six more in the fifth inning, then had to hold on as the Falcons made a game of it in the late innings with the final score being 8-4 in favor of Yuba.   Bell Gomez and Abbie Strickland each had two hits for the Falcons in their final game of the season.

The Falcons' inaugural softball team ended the season with an 8-30 overall record, 8-16 in the Bay Valley Conference.  With just three sophomores in the group, there should be plenty of experience to build upon in 2017.