Piche Stops Reivers' Win Streak

Council Bluffs, Ia. -- Jordan Piche threw a complete-game, five-hitter to hand Iowa Western its first loss of the season as Indian Hills used the sophomore righthander's performance to notch a 7-3 victory on Saturday. Unfortunately for the Falcons, it was their only win in the four-game weekend series that began conference play for both teams.

In the second game on Saturday, Piche allowed single runs in the 3rd, 5th and 6th innings against Iowa Western's potent lineup, but still found himself on the short end of a 3-2 score heading into the 7th inning.

That's when Indian Hills exploded for five runs, the last three on a bases-loaded double by Guillermo Cruz, to come from behind and deal IWCC the loss. The first two runs had come across on fielder's choice grounders.

Piche went out in the bottom of the 7th and completed the route-going effort in which he walked three and struck out four, while giving up only five hits.

Cruz, Taylor Ostrich, Tyler Hermann and Jeremy Delgado each had two hits for the Falcons. Ostrich was 7-for-12 in the series.

Adam Deneke's forceout grounder accounted for the go-ahead run in the 7th.

Iowa Western broke open a close game in Saturday's opener, scoring four times in the 6th to win 6-2.

Indian Hills was held scoreless until plating two runs in the 7th on singles by Hermann, Kevin Arroyo and Deneke and a walk. Hermann and Deneke each had a two-hit game. The Falcons outhit IWCC 7-6, but missed some scoring chances early in the game.

IHCC starter Cashtyn DeLeeuw allowed only two runs in the first five innings before the Reivers scored four times in the 6th. DeLeeuw was solid, giving up only six hits and striking out four.

Iowa Western took the series by winning both games on Sunday, 7-0 and 7-2.

Anthony Gagliardi shut out the Reivers for the first three innings in the opener, but IWCC scored four in the 4th and two more in the 5th.

Indian Hills managed only five hits, all singles, two by Ostrich.

The Reivers finished off the Sunday sweep by jumping out to a 6-1 lead against IHCC's Matt Lashlee.

The Falcons got strong relief pitching from Jake Stalzer and A.J. McElderry, the two lefthanders combining to give up only three hits and an unearned run over the final four innings.

Ostrich and Yuliecer Arias had a pair of hits each for IHCC. Arias's 3rd-inning double was Indian Hills' only extra-base hit for the day.

The Falcons return to action in their home opener on Wednesday, a doubleheader against Muscatine CC starting at 2:00.