Saratoga News

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Saratoga's Andre Sorba slides into third base in last week's clash with Santa Clara. The Falcons lost a 13-11 heartbreaker to the Bruins after leading 8-3 through three innings.

Falcons lose a tough one

Santa Clara rallies to beat Saratoga

By Dick Sparrer

A comfortable lead turned tenuous, then simply disappeared for the Saratoga baseball team last week. And the result was a disappointing 13-11 loss to Santa Clara in the El Camino Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League.

The Falcons seemed to be in control in the midweek game. They opened up an 8-3 lead after three innings, thanks largely to a six-run rally in the second. But things deteriorated from there.

Santa Clara chipped away with three runs in the fourth, then picked up another in the fifth to cut the Saratoga lead to 8-7. But it didn't end there.

The Bruins unloaded for six runs in the seventh to overcome Saratoga and take a commanding 13-8 lead.

But the Falcons were not without desire. They battled back in the home half of the seventh and scored a couple of runs. They came up two short, though, and lost the 13-11 decision.

Erick Raich singled and doubled in the game for Saratoga, and Kevin Brady hit a solo homer.

Robin Gill singled twice to knock in two runs, and Ryan Bernard and Troy Cardin each ripped a couple of hits. Michael Drew drove home two runs for the Falcons.

In other local action, Westmont turned back Prospect 6-3 and Mt. Pleasant 4-1.

Ryan Hanson was the winning pitcher against the Cardinals, pushing his season record to 3-1. Todd Zajac homered in the win and Gabe Thomas drove in a couple of runs with two hits.

The Warriors improved to 6-2 in the Santa Teresa Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League and to 7-3 for the year with the win over the Panthers. Zajac singled twice to drive in three runs, and Jim Brown had two hits.

Darrell Jacks doubled for the Panthers, and Todd Kinder had two hits.

Prospect, 3-7 in division play and 4-10 overall, had lost 6-3 to Independence a couple of days earlier. Jacks and Brad King had two hits apiece for the Panthers, and Dave Hildreth doubled.

Prospect opened the week with a 4-3 loss to Leigh. Hildreth doubled in the game for the Panthers.

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