Fallon’s Matthew Bird doubles against Oahu Elite.
Photo by Thomas Ranson.
After winning the state tournament last month, the Fallon 13U all-stars didn’t have to travel at all for the next step of the journey to the World Series.
Hosting its Pacific Southwest Babe Ruth Regional Tournament in more than a decade, Fallon faced the tournament runner-up in its opener July 26, dropping a 6-1 decision, to fall into the consolation bracket. After a big first inning, Fallon, though, couldn’t respond against Hanford, Calif., 8-5, on July 27 to end its tournament run at the Edward Arciniega Athletic Complex.
In the tournament’s first elimination game, Fallon put Hanford, the Central California designee, on the ropes early, scoring four runs in the first inning.
Hanford committed four errors, including allowing Anthony Juarez, the leadoff hitter, to reached on an error by the third baseman. Chase Carnahan was hit by a pitch before Ryder McNabb singled to load the bases with no outs. Bird’s sac fly gave scored Juarez for the game’s first run before Ryan Judd reached on an error to score another run.
Luis Lopez sacrificed, followed by Jackson Storm reaching on an infield error, which scored Judd for the fourth run of the inning. Dustin Stritenberger also reached on an error, but Kayden White grounded out to the pitcher to end the threat.
Fallon catcher Ryan Judd tags out Oahu Elite’s Trenton Caliboso at the plate in the second inning of a 6-1 loss. Photo: Thomas Ranson
Landen McKee and Thane Herman each singled off Juarez with one out in the second, but the Fallon pitcher induced a groundout from Carlos Perez for the second out. Cole Edwards, though, singled to left to score McKee.
In the third, Daniel Ayala and Aiden Smith reached on errors setting up Ian Snell’s RBI single into left field. After Carter Muir struck out, Fallon’s defense stepped up for the final out when Matthew Bird gunned down Smith with a perfect throw to Judd at the plate.
After Fallon’s offense continued to stall, Hanford scored four runs with two outs in the fourth to take the lead.
Herman doubled with one out before Perez reached on an error before being thrown out at second. Hanford, though, scored its first run with Herman crossing the plate followed by Edwards, Esaiz Trevino and Ayala.
Fallon’s Ryder McNabb throws against Oahu Elite in the opening game of the regional tournament. Photo: Thomas Ranson
Down 6-4, Judd and Lopez each singled with one out. Judd was thrown out at third, but Lopez scored when Storm reached on a field’s choice.
Hanford added one more run each in the final two innings to pad its lead.
Fallon was within striking distance several times against Oahu Elite in its opener on Monday, which was suspended and resumed on Tuesday due to darkness.
After Hawaii scored twice each in the second and third innings, Fallon came back with a run in the third.
Shane Hunt led off the bottom of the inning with a first-pitch single followed by Juarez’s single. Carnahan reached on an error and Hunt scored Fallon’s first and only run of the game. Fallon left one in scoring position and in the previous inning, Bird led off with a single but was stranded at third.
Fallon went in order in the fourth and fifth innings but tried to come back in the sixth and seventh.
Down 6-1 in the sixth, Juarez singled with one out and McNabb, who started the game on the mound, walked with two outs setting up runners on first and third. Judd, though, flew out to center to end the inning. In the seventh with two outs, Storm singled and Stritenberger reached on an error but were left stranded to end the game.
