A wake-up call late in April ignited the Lady Wave offense and Fallon never looked back.
Fallon, which finished third in the league, won its final six games of the regular season and momentum carried into the playoffs as the Lady Wave captured both the regional and state championship trophies this month over Lowry.
Fallon, which ended the season on a 13-game winning streak, landed five on the all-region team and two on the all-state team after the improbable run to the state championship.
Seniors Faith Cornmesser (pitcher) and Caitlyn Welch (infield) were named to the first team for both the all-region and all-state teams while seniors Stacy Kalt (infield) and Jordan Beyer (outfield) were second-team, all-region selections. Senior Macie Anderson (infield) was an honorable selection to the all-region team.
The Lady Wave rode Cornmesser’s arm — and bat — throughout the season and aside from a couple hiccups against Fernley and Lowry during the regular season, she could be counted on, even more so during the playoffs.
“Faith had a very good season and an absolutely amazing postseason,” Fallon coach Kasey Chu said. “She excelled in regionals and state. Faith worked very hard all season long to lead the team to its state championship. She was a leader on and off the field.”
Cornmesser accounted for 93.2 of the team’s 177 innings, finishing with a 2.91 earned-run average and 24-7 record. She fanned 173, walked 77 and pitched 17 complete games, including four shutouts. At the plate, she led the team in average (.506), RBIs (48) and home runs (nine).
Coming off an MVP performance on the basketball court, Welch was the team’s second-best hitter in average, finishing at .505 and she led the team in hits (50), runs scored (47), stolen bases (seven) and doubles (14).
“She gave it her all at every position we put her at this season,” Chu said of Welch. “She was someone who laid out, hustled and left everything on the field each practice, which showed in every game. She adjusted to a change in the lineup and became a true leadoff hitter. She is the most selfless player, doing what’s best for the team.”
Kalt and Beyer came on fire late in the season and at the right time.
Kalt finished with eight home runs, including a hat trick against Lowry in the regional championship, and then a walk-off against Pahrump in the opener at the state tournament. She finished with a .447 batting average to go with 42 hits, including 11 doubles, and 44 RBI.
“Stacy and her hitting was clutch in so many of our big games. She was an amazing leader and a great kid to coach,” Chu said. “She was always willing to learn and better herself. It showed throughout the season and you knew you could always count on her.”
For Beyer, she lit up the scoreboard in the regional tournament, slamming three home runs on her way to a season total of six. She finished fourth on the team in RBIs with 35 and had a .422 batting average. But it was her speed that stood out the most.
“Jordan’s speed in the outfield and approach at the plate was key to our success,” Chu said. “She took on a new position in centerfield and really took charge out there. Jordan’s knowledge of the game grew with each practice and she was truly able to dominate.”
Anderson was one of Fallon’s most consistent hitters, finishing with a .452 batting average. She drove in 30 runs, was second on the team in doubles with 11 and added a triple. She was the team’s anchor at first and stepped in a third occasionally.
“Her bat was one of the most consistent bats we had all season in the lineup,” Chu said. “She made some big plays at first base and stepped in at third when we needed her, always willing to do whatever would help her team. Macie was such a great athlete to watch mature over her senior season.”
Editor’s note: Statistics reflect through the regional tournament.