Falcons Win Finale to Secure Playoff Spot

0-10.  That was the Elmira baseball teams' record in league play last year.  They were the worst team in the Sky-Em conference.  Then the 2019 season started with several players being injured in a team bus accident earlier this year.  A shaky start gave no indication that league play would be any different especially playing 4A powerhouses Junction City and Marist three times each. 

But a funny thing happened on the way to what expectations might have been.  The Falcons beat Junction City in the league opener and earlier this week, Elmira managed to go 3-3 vs the top two teams in the conference by sweeping Marist Catholic with an unlikely pair of walk off wins that were both secured by bases loaded walks to end the games, 8-7 and 7-6.  Blake Whigam and Landon Parker got the winning RBIs respectively.

The two victories gave the Falcons a tiebreaker with Marist.  All that remained was securing one victory in the road double header with Marshfield in Coos Bay.  Perhaps too tight and tense, the Pirates
drilled Elmira in the opener 10-0 as Marshfield's Ryan Knight spun a gem; no runs, scattering 5 hits and striking out 8 going the distance in the shortened six inning game. 

However, the perscription for Falcons baseball has been rallying late.  Again in a Danskin tight game, tied at 2 apiece, Elmira rallied for 4 runs in the sixth inning taking advantage of a hit batter, a dropped strike three, an error and two walks by the suddenly generous Pirates.  The Falcons gave up only one run beyond that and the Falcons who were the cellar dwellers last year found themselves not only in the playoffs but will be sporting a first round bye by being the second place team in the 4A Sky-Em Conference, with a 6-3 victory Monday May 14 at Marshfield High School.

Perhaps the most encouraging thought moving forward is not that the accomplishment has been so remarkable, but that the trip might go into next year as well as this is a young team that is making its mark in the state rankings. 

Elmira Boys Soccer Vaults to #8 in OSAA Rankings

Fresh off a second straight shut out win, the OSAA has taken notice of the Elmira boys soccer team 3-0 record, as well as their gaudy defensive accomplishments so far this season, rewarding them with a #8 ranking in 4A.  In three matches, the Falcons have outscored their opponents a combined 11-1.

"I really do not put a lot of stock in early season rankings or predictions," said Head Coach Ryan Chambers in an email.  "My goals week to week and game to game are really to just see improvement with ball movement, communication, passing accuracy, and defensive structure.  So far, we are improving with those elements every game."

Riley Chambers moves the ball upfield in the Falcons' 4-1 home victory over North Bend.  Photo: Kimberly Lillie

Riley Chambers is leading a strong offensive charge early this season with 4 goals and 5 assists.  Keegan Cook, Ethan Yost, and senior Mason Oilar have all contributed to the scoring.  On the defensive side, coach Chambers sees potential as well.

"Paul Ossowski, Willito Farje, Jacob Admire and new goalie Captain Jaden Palmer are playing well together right now and I expect things to just keep getting stronger on the back line."

Changes in alignment means that the Falcons will have plenty of stern competition on their schedule as former 5A school Marist Catholic and Marshfield both move into the 4A Sky Em for soccer.

"There is potential for every team in our league to be pretty good," noted Chambers.  "Every league game this year will be a battle for sure.  I have confidence in our players to compete with every team in our league."

Falcon's Goalkeeper Jaden Palmer deflects a North Bend shot on goal during Elmira's 4-1 victory on August 28.
 Photo:  Kimberly Lillie

The Falcon's look to go 4-0 Thursday September 6 as they host Banks with a 4:15 start time.