On Thursday, March 28, the San Marin Mustangs came to the Archie Williams home diamond for the second game of their varsity baseball series against the Falcons. The Falcons secured another win against San Marin, with senior pitcher Sam Black holding the Mustangs to only one run, despite recent injuries faced by three starting fielders. The Falcons swept the series 2-0 and flew up into second place in the MCAL league with a 6-2 league record.
“We had a lot of guys go down [with injuries], and we had a long team meeting yesterday, during the rain and made up a lineup, deciding who would go up next… All the guys trusted each other today and it did pay off,” said head coach Tyler Weeks.
The Falcons went down early in the first with a costly overthrow on a drop-two strikeout, allowing a San Marin runner on second to score. However, Archie Williams recovered swiftly, producing a bases-loaded opportunity that led to a double-play RBI for junior Jack Evans, tying the score early on 1-1.
“Everyone on the bench has been preparing for this, ready to be the next guy up. Iron sharpens iron out here. The more competitive you get, the more you wanna get better,” Sam said.
The Mustangs managed to get a runner on first and second early in the third inning, though Sam threw two quick strikeouts to maintain a 1-1 ballgame. Junior Miki Accomazzo, as the leadoff hitter, hit a dead-center solo home run to give the Falcons the lead 2-1. The Falcons got two men on base with the help of some early singles, and a two-RBI double by junior Henry Hanavan brought them all home, extending the lead to 4-1.
“It’s the next guy up mentality, all the boys knowing there’s one point in the game or in the season where they are going to have their chance. Look at Miki today’s seventh at-bat of the season, and he gets up there and hits a bomb to the 50-yard line of the football field,” Weeks said.
In the sixth inning, the Falcons’ defense succeeded in maintaining their three-run lead over the Mustangs. Archie Williams landed a baserunner off a costly overthrow from the Mustang. Afterward, leadoff hitter Jack hit a two-run home run to generate a 6-1 lead over the Mustangs.
Sam began the seventh inning for the Falcons, getting two quick strikeouts and hitting a batter, ending the day with 10 strikeouts, 109 pitches thrown, and one run conceded. Senior Peter Irwin came out of the bullpen and sealed the final out with a strikeout to bring home the 6-1 win.
“Sam pitched very well. He pitched one of the better games I’ve seen from a pitcher this season. He competed out there, and he had some fire deep in his soul when he was out there on the mound today,” Jack said.
Despite recent injuries, the Falcons prevailed to carry on their six-game win streak. Archie Williams hopes to extend their success in Novato on Tuesday, April 2, for the beginning of the series against Novato High School.
