As the Falcons begin their 2016 league season, they face several challenges, such as the loss of last season’s ace pitcher, Joey Medeiros, to graduation. Alongside a fresh crop of newcomers, the veteran players are putting in time at the yard, fine-tuning their defensive teamwork and strengthening their offensive skills.
Under the guidance of head coach Adam Varteressian and the rest of the coaching staff, who all have professional experience, the boys are looking for this season to be the “quest for the ring.” The team’s ace pitcher, senior Tyler Yoshihara, has committed to play for Pomona College’s Division III program next fall. On offense, the team has been led in RBIs by sophomore infielder/pitcher Robert Scott and junior infielder Tony Ramirez.
The Falcons kicked off De Anza League games with a series against the Milpitas Trojans on March 9 and 12. The first game of the matchup was held on Trojan territory. With senior outfielder Michael Schillage injured, the Falcons were short of a starting hitter. The score remained at 1-1 for the first six innings.
Junior Jonathan Yun started off the seventh by running out a well-placed bunt for a hit. Varteressian then directed the next two hitters, sophomore Daniel Ryu and senior Ryan Casini, to lay down sacrifice bunts. With speed down the line, Ryu and Casini turned the bunts into hits. Base hits by Yoshihara and Scott, plus a Milpitas error, resulted in the Falcons plating six runs in the inning to go up 7-1.
Slapping each other on the back and bumping fists in the dugout, the entire team cheered the Falcons to a clutch inning. As the Trojans prepared to bat at the bottom of the seventh, the Falcons focused on getting their three outs as quickly. However, a series of close calls, an error and a few nerve-racking hits allowed the Trojans to plate four runs. The Falcons felt lucky to escape with a 7-5 win.
Prior to the Milpitas series, the Falcons played four consecutive non-conference games at home, starting with Campolindo on Feb. 26, Silver Creek on March 1, The King’s Academy on March 3 and Piedmont Hills on March 5.
The Falcons crushed Piedmont Hills 10-2 with junior pitcher Brian Tatman throwing strikes and Scott getting four RBIs. Casini was the winning pitcher against the King’s Academy, leading the team to a 7-5 victory.
In the third inning of the matchup against the Silver Creek Raiders, Ramirez hit a grand slam, starting what was to become an 11-run outburst. In the same inning, Ramirez came to bat again with the bases loaded — a very rare occurrence. Ramirez made hard contact with the ball once again, but flew out. The team ended up winning 17-0, and Ramirez had four RBIs.
Campolindo’s players are known for their agility, speed and endurance. The Cougars have consistently been a winning team, even claiming the Northern California Section title several years ago. Though the Falcons beat them once in the 2014 season, the current team fell short in their first match-up of the pre-season, losing 9-3.
Due to printing deadlines, the Falcon could not cover the team’s series against Cupertino on March 16 and 18. The team looks to face tough teams such as Palo Alto on April 20 and Los Gatos on April 27.
