Bats Wake Up In the Sixth As Ferguson Gets Past Braddock

The Ferguson Falcons finished their regular season on a high note Thursday, picking up another district victory to secure the two seed in the 8A District 15 tournament with their 4-0 victory over the Braddock Bulldogs.

“It was a playoff-type atmosphere, and in our district, anyone can win on any given day,” Ferguson head coach Jose Novas said. “It was a big win for us as we are trying to get our third district title in a row.”

The game was highlighted with dominant pitching from both starters. Braddock starter Erne Valdes got off to a great start as he got through the first inning with ease. Valdes pitched five and two-thirds innings and held the Falcons to just one hit until the top half of the sixth inning.

“I can’t ask for anything else from Erne, and he is a fierce competitor,” Braddock head coach Manny Fernandez said. “We just need to find a way to score some runs for him.”

Early on, Valdes got some help from his defense to keep the Falcons off the bases. In the first inning, Bulldogs shortstop Anthony Alvarez made an incredible over-the-shoulder catch in shallow center field to end the inning. Alvarez also made a great play on a ground ball in the second for the third out.

“Anthony has been a big addition to our line up,” Fernandez said. “The kid is a ninth-grader and has solidified our defense and has given us great at-bats as well.”

Ferguson’s starter Brandon Valentin was also superb on the mound. Valentin pitched deep into the seventh inning and held the Bulldogs to just two hits.

Valentin found himself in some trouble early in the first. After a single from Brian Hernandez and an error from the Falcons’ defense, the bases were loaded with one out, but Valentin dug deep and got himself out of trouble with a big strikeout and a pop fly.

“He has come a long way as he has learned to compete and how to pitch out of jams,” Novas said. “We’ve been looking for him to do this, and its nice to see him rise up late in the season for us.”

Both teams were making contact throughout the game but were just unable to find any holes in the defense. Finally in the top half of the sixth inning, Ferguson was able to break the ice. Jose Brito led the inning off with triple to the right-field corner. Then Anthony Tucker knocked one through the left side of the infield to drive in Brito for the first run of the game. The Falcons were able to get three more singles from Jesus Fuenmayor, Chris Medina and Carlos Tapia to make it a 4-0 game

“I was just trying to get a pitch to drive and get on base,” Brito said. “Its all about confidence, and the hit helped the team with momentum and allowed us to get the win.”

The Bulldogs didn’t go away quietly as they made one last push in the seventh to get back in the game. After a pair of walks and a single from Tom Ordiales, the bases were loaded again. However, the Falcons brought in Anthony Carra to pitch, and he finished the game with two strikeouts to end the chance of any comeback.

“Its a little disappointing because we have been playing so well the last few weeks and wanted to finish strong,” coach Fernandez said. “But I have been doing this a long time and know that when the tournament starts, it’s a whole new season, so we need to stay positive because anyone can win this.”

Braddock will finish its regular season Tuesday against Dr. Krop.

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