Falcons Baseball Overcomes Sluggish Start and Spring Weather

As the early season was a frustrating mix of bus accidents, weather cancellations and struggling play, the Elmira baseball team spent Spring Break at the Madras baseball tournament.

Before that however, the Falcons face off with Creswell and reaped an 8-2 victory.  Ayden Wolgamott was the star of the day pitching 4 and a third innings and only surrendering 2 runs.  He also dominated at the plate getting 3 hits on the day.

Ayden Wolgamott slides into second on a steal attempt in a game vs Hidden Valley earlier this year.
 Photo by Michelle Ossowski

A final road trip before the break saw Elmira facing off against 2A Walport, where the Falcons became the power station, unleashing home runs in the game as Elmira crushed Walport 14-2.  Gavin Parker, Cobyn Herbert, and Blake Wigham all launched bombs, with Wigham collecting 5 RBIs on 3 hits.  All of the offense supported a workmanlike victory for Hunter Stockinger, who gave up only 2 runs. The victory raised the Falcons' record to  3-1 on the season.

Then, a strong dose of reality was doled out by tiny 3A Taft High school, leveling a humbling 15-0 beat down on Elmira, holding them to two hits.

"They were really good," Herbert commented in a conversation later.  Taft record is deceptive then because they are 3-5 at press time.  So dominate was their victory however,  that it was shortened after reaching the 5th inning with a 10 run or more lead.

With one of their games cancelled by weather yet again, the Falcons had only two more games to recover from the Taft blitzkrieg.  Playing host Madras, Elmira rallied for 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th for a scintillating 8-7 win.

The following game is somewhat inexplicable on multiple fronts.  McLoughlin stormed out to a commanding 11-6 lead after 4 and half innings.  Then the wheels came off for the 4A Pioneers as McLoughlin pitching was in a magnanimous mood, offering 13 walks, combined with 9 doubles by the Falcons.  The result was an electrifying 13 run bottom of the 7th and a ridiculous 24-11 rout of the Pioneers.  It is a game that the Falcons know they got away with one.

"We played pretty sloppy," Herbert lamented.

Elmira will host the Sutherlin Bulldogs from the 3A-5 Far West League on Wednesday April 3... weather permitting. 

Elmira Grapplers Give Strong Showing at Springfield Invitational

As the new season unfolds for Elmira's wrestling teams, results from the Springfield Invitational on Saturday, December 8, portends a good season ahead.  The Falcon boys' team placed six wrestlers in the top five of five weight classes to secure a second place finish out of 32 teams.

Ian Drago goes on the offensive in a match during the Springfield Invitational Wrestling Tournament, Saturday December 9.  Photo by Kimberly Lillie

 Leading the way was Mikey Montgomery who placed third at 220 lbs.  Ian Drago (126 lbs.), Hunter Davis (132 lbs.), Grey Canada (138 lbs.) and Nat Brown (155 lbs.) all took fourth place in their respective weight classes.  Ayden Walgamott finished 5th in the 145 lbs class.

Elmira's Hunter Davis scores a ferocious take down during matches at the Springfield Invitational Wrestling Tournament, Saturday September 8.  Photo by Kimberly Lillie.

The girls were led by Liberty Barlow who took 1st place at 105 lbs.  Elva Zhao and Anna McDougal took third in the 100 lbs. and 155 lbs classes, respectively.  Destiny Ruppert took 4th at 155 lbs.  The Lady Falcons finished the meet fourth overall.

Liberty Barlow gains leverage in a match at the Springfield Invitational Wrestling Tournament, Saturday December 9.  Barlow placed first among girls in the 105 lb. class.  Photo by Kimberly Lillie.

6A Mountain View was the meet team champion.