Friday night was an offensive explosion at Elks Stadium as the Falcons and visiting Nanaimo NightOwls combined for 22 hits and 17 runs with the visitors earning a 9-8 win.

Through the first five innings the Falcons built up a healthy lead on the scoreboard leading the ballgame 6-1 and seemed to be cruising along. However, things changed in the top of the sixth inning when the NightOwls roared back scoring seven times on four hits and took advantage of two errors.

With a two-run lead heading into the ninth, the NightOwls added a much need insurance run following another defensive error. It turned out to be an important run, holding up as the game winner.

In the bottom of the ninth the offence pushed back, desperate for the equalizer. Xander Sielken walked to lead off the inning, then moved to second on a passed ball. Finley Buckner recorded an RBI single to cut into the lead. Ty Peters then singled before both runners advanced a base on a wild pitch. With Buckner standing at third, the NightOwls reliever uncorked another wild pitch to allow him to score and move Peters to third base with one out as the tying run. Unfortunately, it was as close as they would come with the next two batters striking out to end the ballgame.

The offence pounded out 12 hits led by Peters, Buckner, Jacob Campos and Ashton Graff-Rowe finishing with a multi-hit game.

Saturday night at 6:35pm, the Falcons (22-15) and NightOwls (23-17) meet again at Elks Stadium. Tickets can be purchased at the gate an hour before the game or in advance on the Falcons tickets page.

Photo courtesy of Tami Quan Photography