A four-run rally in the sixth inning gave Fallon a come-from-behind win Tuesday as the Wave defeated Dayton for the second time this season, 7-5, at the Ed Arciniega Athletic Complex.
"It was a good contest," said Dayton coach Craig Miller. "It's good to have these types of games and to play against better opponents."
Dayton resumes Northern 3A league play on Friday against Sparks. Fallon travels to Manogue on Thursday for a single game and returns home for a Saturday doubleheader.
Fallon coach Brad Barton praised his players who won their fifth game in a row. The third-year coach said Dayton is a competitive team.
"The came with a better team," Barton said. Dayton was missing three players two weeks ago because of a school activity. "Like the last game, they tried to come back on us."
Fallon, 6-6 in league 16-9 overall, nipped Dayton, 9-8, earlier this month.
Dayton had taken a 5-3 lead against Fallon before Fallon mounted its rally against losing pitcher Ryan Shepherd. The Dayton hurler surrendered three consecutive hits to open the bottom of the sixth inning.
Brett Wickizer singled, and Allan Albisu followed with a hard-hit double. Outfielder Jeff Listed, who had grounded out in his previous two trips to the plate, rode a pitch to right field for a two-run single to tie the game.
"Jeff is coming through in the clutch," Barton said. "He also did that at Elko."
Shepherd whiffed pinch hitter Jensen McDonald for the first out. Nate Stenberg then hit an RBI triple to left field as Fallon took a 6-5 lead. After Lyle Gardner popped up to second base, Matt Cummerow singled in Fallon's final run.
Miller said he wanted Shepherd to remain on the mound in the sixth inning despite Fallon's scoring.
"Ryan needs to have these types of games," Miller said. "He needs to go out and face these situations."
Miller said Shepherd, his third pitcher in the rotation, will see more action during the divisional and state playoffs.
Fallon pitcher Sam Corbin sailed along during the first three innings before running into a jam in the fourth inning.
Corbin walked Cory Yoder to lead off the inning. One batter later, Ryan Ransdell singled to right field, and Corbin issued a walk to Cory Torvik. Brandon Aguilera greeted Corbin with an RBI single to cut Fallon's lead to 3-1.
The Dust Devils drove Corbin off the mound in the fifth inning. Yoder singled in a run, and Corbin's wild pitch led to Dayton's second run.
Corbin said he was frustrated with some of his pitches.
"I throw low pitches, and then I overthrow," he said.
After the fourth inning, Corbin said he was feeling tired and losing some focus.
"Sam threw pretty well," Barton said.
Albisu, the winning pitcher, relieved Corbin with two outs. In a run-down play, Shepherd scored before second baseman Tyler Rechel tagged out Randsell in a pickle between first and second base.
Dayton scored its final run in the sixth inning on a wild pitch.
Fallon jumped on Shepherd for three runs in the third inning. Thad Cornu ripped a two-run single, and Trevor de Braga drilled a triple to score Cornu.