Late-game heroics power Fallon to one of three state titles

Down by three in the fifth inning, the Fallon 12-under all-star team didn’t panic.

After four innings of frustration at the plate, everything clicked in the fifth when Fallon overcame the deficit for the 5-4 win over Silver State in the championship game of the Cal Ripken state tournament Sunday at Churchill County Regional Park.

The 12U title was one of three that the Fallon program won over the weekend as teams from Silver State (North Reno), Spanish Springs and Sun Valley visited the Lahontan Valley for the four-day tournament. Fallon also won the 9-under and 10-under divisions while Spanish Springs won the 8-under. The winners advanced to the regional tournament in two weeks.

Beginning the nine-hole batter, Jerimiah Prinz, Fallon collected two hits in the first five at-bats, which result in the team taking its first lead. Prinz led off the inning with a walk before Francisco Tapia Jr. singled to right field and Diaz walked. Steven Moon’s double to center tied the game, and Tom Openshaw’s two-out single to left gave Fallon the lead when Moon crossed the plate.

Bryce Adams picked up the win in relief after Moon started and Nicholas Downs helped hold Silver State in check. Silver State scored two runs in the first and two in the fourth.

The 12-under Fallon all-stars include Bryce Adams, Brady Alves, Evan Crandall, Isiah Diaz, Nicholas Downs, Rolland Grondin, Thayne Hatch, Jayce Hornby, Steven Moon, Tom Openshaw, Jeramiah Prinz, Baylor Sandberg and Francisco Tapia Jr. Coaches are Steven Moon, Bud Openshaw and Scott Downs.

An eight-run burst in the third inning had Fallon’s 9-under team on the board against Spanish Springs after the visitors opened with a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

Ryder McNabb and Zack Adams each pitched with McNabb taking the victory.

Trevor Barrenchea, Carson Melendy, Adams and Ayden Lehman each singled and scored for Fallon while McNabb provided Fallon’s only extra-base hit with a double before he later scored. Chase Carnahan and Jackson Storm each walked and scored in the third while Barrenchea singled for the second time in the inning.

Fallon scored a pair in the following inning when McNabb and Melendy each singled and scored. Matthew Bird and Melendy each scored in the fifth inning to end Fallon’s scoring rampage.

Spanish Springs scored three more in the fourth to cut the deficit to six before adding another in the sixth.

The 9-under Fallon all-stars include Zack Adams, Chase Carnahan, Trevor Barrenchea, Matthew Bird, Anthony Juarez, Shane Hunt Jr., Ayden Lehman, Carson Melendy, Broden Pirkle, Jackson Storm, Ryder McNabb and Ryder Letourneau. Coaches are Rob Carnahan, Anthony Juarez and Sean McNabb.

Fallon’s 10-under team wasted no time scoring three of the first four batters who crossed the plate against Silver State.

Carter Paul, Mason Storm and Trevor Hyde each doubled and scored in the first inning to give Fallon a 3-0 lead. The bats went silent, though, until the fifth inning when the same three helped Fallon pad its lead. Paul singled before scoring when Storm and Hyde each doubled and scored.

Paul and James Kelsey each pitched against Silver State with Carter taking the win.

The 10-under Fallon all-stars include Andrew Douglas, Evan Giovanetti, Joshua Gusewelle, Trevor Hyde, James Kelsey, Fenn Mackedon, Carter Paul, Garrett Payne, Drake Reid, Braden Sorensen, Mason Storm and Dominick Tapia. Coaches are Gib Mackedon, Jason Storm and Daniel Kelsey.

Fallon’s 8-under team wasn’t able to reach the championship game, losing 6-2 to Silver State in Sunday’s elimination game.

The 8-under Fallon all-stars include Calin Anderson, Nathan Anderson, Bradley Cabral, Zayne Caswell, William Cross, Garret Helton, Lincoln Neumann, Drake Rowlett, Ashton Simar, Kyle Shawcroft, Bransyn Wright, Walker Snider and Bryce Vargas. Coaches are Josh Cabral, Kyle Hall and Christopher Newman.