At first it must have seemed like an old record going into league play where the Elmira baseball team hadn't won a game since 2017. Not only were they playing league favorite Junction City, but they started off with a costly error that gave the Tigers a 1-0 through three and half innings.
However, Cobyn Herbert hit a 3-run homer, a line drive laser over the left field fence, and Tyler Feltz battled through his own struggles of wildness to give Elmira an unlikely 5-3 win over the then 3rd ranked Tigers Wednesday, April 10 at Elmira High School.
"I'm really proud of our kids," said head baseball coach Ryan Wolgamott in an email. "It shows how far they've come when you consider how bad we were beaten by Junction City in three games last year."
Feltz compounded the struggle for himself by issuing 4 walks and 4 hit batters, which included thumping Junction City's Hunter Van Curler three times. Feltz also wobbled in the 5th inning when he surrendered a majestic fly ball homer to Tiger's lead off man, Blake Hayes.
"(He had) a few control issues with the walks and hit batters but overall I was happy for him and what his emergence means for our team." coach Wolgamott continued.
Despite the fact that Feltz seemed always a step away from the abyss, the team's fielding, a double play, a stolen base attempt gunned down by CJ Smith, and four timely strike outs all kept Junction City at an arm's length. When Gavin Parker scored Landen Parker with a sac fly in the bottom of the fifth, the possibility of the upset was fully realized.
Still, the Falcons tantalized the Tigers with the opportunity of a rally. Ayden Wolgamott came on in the 7th in relief of Feltz and promptly put gasoline on a fire. After walking the lead off hitter in the inning, Wolgamott managed to get two outs but then hit Van Curler for the third time, to bring the winning run to the plate. Coach Wolgamott replaced his son with Gavin Parker who came in and shut down the rally in 5 pitches.
While it is only one victory in a long league schedule, it could signify a shift in power in the 4A Sky Em.
"I think this win will open some eyes in our league and put a bit of a target on our back,"noted coach Wolgamott. "We won’t be taken lightly moving forward."
The victory raised the Falcons to a #10 ranking despite the fact that there are 4 teams ahead of them with worse records, including Junction City. Next up will be a home game against Cottage Grove on Friday, April 12 at Elmira High School.
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