For the first time this season the Falcons used extra innings, scoring twice in the bottom of the tenth to walk off the visiting Victoria Harbourcats 3-2 on Friday night at Elks Stadium.

Both pitching staffs turned in a wonderful performance, shutting down the top two batting averages in the West Coast League.  For the Falcons, starter Mark Rogers was brilliant, throwing nine complete innings, allowing one run and scattering four hits while striking out four finishing with a no decision.  Eddie Dolansky came out of the bullpen in the top of the 10^th, allowed an unearned run before the offence came through with some heroics in the bottom of the inning and Dolansky was credited with the win.

The Falcons opened this low scoring affair in the bottom of the third inning.  Jacob Loving doubled before Druw Frost, the team leader in averaged knocked him in with an RBI single.

With the pitchers baffling the batters, the score remained 1-0 for the home side until the top of the ninth when the Harbourcats Logan Shepard led off the inning with solo homer off Rogers to tie the game and force extra innings.

In the extra frame a runner starts at second base. With Dolansky on the mound, he internationally walked the next hitter to put on the force.  He then hit the next batter to load the bases before a sacrifice fly scored a run to give the ‘Cats their first lead.  Dolansky got out of the inning stranding runners at second and third.

In the bottom of the tenth the Falcons also started with a runner in scoring position in the form of Kaden Prosofsky. Rees Kozar then walked to put runners at first and second.  After a strike out, Loving singled to load the bases with one-out.  Frost was next and had a terrific at bat and forced a walk, which scored Prosofsky to tie the game.  Two batters later, Xander Sielken came up with a game winning single to score Loving from third, giving the Falcons their second straight win, and fourth consecutive over the Harboucats this season.

With the win, coupled with a loss by the Bellingham Bells, the Falcons are now just half a game back of the Bells for second place in the North Division and three games back of the front running Wenatchee Applesox.

Saturday night the Falcons (17-11) and Harbourcats (14-14) meet again at Elks Stadium at 6:35pm.   Tickets can be purchased at the gate starting at 5:30pm or they can be purchased in advance on the Falcons ticket page.

Photo courtesy of Tami Quan Photography