Falcons Notch First Victory in Arizona

Scottsdale, AZ -- After a rainy start to their spring trip to Arizona, the Indian Hills Falcons on Monday finally got to see some game action and they picked up their first win, an 8-6 decision against the Arizona State University club team.  The Falcons dropped the second game of the twinbill 10-7.

The opener featured an 11-hit attack for the Falcons and an outstanding pitching performance by sophomore Sam Ross.  Ross picked up the win with four innings of relief work.  He allowed only three hits and an unearned run while walking three three and striking out three.

The top three hitters in the IHCC lineup -- Darryl Velez, Dario Polanco and Taylor Ostrich -- each had two hits and Juan Figueroa also picked up two singles. 

Trailing 3-2 going into the 7th inning, the Falcons plated two runs in the 7th and and three more in the 8th.  ASU scored three in the bottom of the 9th, but IHCC reliever Junior Santos got out of a big jam to preserve the win.  Santos allowed the first six hitters to reach base in the 9th on five walks and a single.  He then got two stikeouts and ground ball back to the mound to allow Indian Hills to hold on for the victory.

Polanco and Joel Booker each drove in two runs for the Falcons and eight different players scored a run.

Jake Stalzer started on the mound for IHCC and gave up two hits and two runs in four innings with six strikeouts.

Indian Hills used a five-run 2nd to take an early lead in game two.  Jordan Berry and Kevin Cicali both doubled in the inning and Adam Deneke had a two-run single.  Deneke also tripled and scored in the 6th.  He got the start for the Falcons and threw the first two innings.  Three pitchers followed Deneke to the hill with Logan Mallek taking the loss.

Deneke, Berry and Cicali all had two-hit games.  The Falcons stole six bases.

IHCC pitchers walked 11 men in each game.

Indian Hills is slated to play two games on Tuesday -- an 11 a.m. contest against South Mountain and a 3:00 game with Scottsdale CC.