Falcons make comeback after several league losses

As the season began, coaches, players and fans of the baseball team agreed that it was going to be a season of rebuilding. After losing nine players from last year’s team to graduation, including most of the outfield, current junior and senior players are striving to help new team members pick up the competitive pace this season.

So far, the team is 1-5 in the upper De Anza league. The boys have lost to tough teams such as Wilcox and Los Gatos. However, they have been able to capture a few some non-league wins on days when they’ve hit better.

On March 27, the team claimed a much-needed victory over Milpitas. Before this home game, the Falcons stood at a 0-5 in league. Having lost 3-2 to the Trojans two days earlier in an away game in the bottom of the 10th inning, the team knew a win at home was key.

Both teams remained scoreless in the first two innings. The Falcons managed to score one run in the bottom of the third, but the action truly began at the bottom of the fifth, with the Falcons at bat.

Senior infielder Adin Roskoph and freshman infielder Robert Scott each hit singles. Senior infielder Andrew Chen hit a triple, resulting in two RBIs. Senior infielder Joey Medeiros also hit a single, also getting an RBI. Finally, junior infielder Tyler Yoshihara also hit a triple and scored a run for the Falcons.

At the top of the sixth, junior pitcher Cole Petters endured a tough inning. With calls by the umpire that players deemed unfair and improved hitting from the Trojans, the Falcons gave up four runs. Senior infielder Evan Lindeman eventually relieved Petters and recorded the final out.

Ahead by a run, the Falcons got the final out and claimed the victory, 5-4. This win revived the team’s spirit and they went on to defeat Oak Grove High School in a non-league game 8-3 the following day. 

Before the victory over Milpitas, the Falcons suffered five consecutive losses. In the series against longtime rival Los Gatos, the team lost 4-1 in an away game on March 19. The team’s defense worked better in this game than the home game two days before when they lost 8-1, according to Petters.

On March 13, the team faced Wilcox in a league game at home. The team was unable to make a comeback in the final innings and lost 10-3. They lost 5-1 against Wilcox on March 11 as well.

Even though the team has suffered tough losses, they have always focused on “executing their brand of baseball and not trying to do too much,” according to senior infielder Billy Vithanage. Head coach Adam Varteressian encourages his players to feel confident in themselves and do the little things right.
“There are three things we say we want to do,” Vithanage said. “If we can throw strikes, play catch and run the bases, then we will win.”

The Falcons pulled a major upset against Campolindo on March 7. Campolindo has a reputation of being a dynamic team, with huge players and a strong lineup. Their head coach is retired Major League Baseball player Wayne Franklin, who pitched and played for numerous MLB teams in a six-year career.
“We were told Campolindo would be the best team we would play against all year,” senior infielder Billy Vithanage said. “From the moment we got [to Campolindo High School], they had little to no respect for us being on their field.”

Most teams that face the fierce Cougars are intimidated by their history of wins and CCS titles. However, the Falcons prepared for the game with a calm and determined mindset. Confident with their own game, the Falcons travelled to Moraga, Calif., ready to face a tough opponent.

On the defensive side, Yoshihara took care of business on the mound. Junior Ryan Casini came in from the outfield and pitched the final three innings, limiting Campolindo’s physically aggressive offense by throwing strikes. Vithanage and Chen had a good day hitting wise. Vithanage went three for four with two RBI singles and a two RBI doubles. Chen had four RBIs and three hits.

“It was the first time we really felt like team with every player contributing to the win,” Vithanage said. “You could feel every guy pulling for the one next to him, all wanting the win.”