Down by 6, Ferguson Rallies To Beat Columbus In Extras

True fans will always believe in their team, no matter the score or situation, which is why in the third inning when a Falcons fan told this HSBN reporter that despite Ferguson being behind by many runs, be sure not to leave early because the Falcons would come back and win the game.

Sure it was possible, but not probable.

Then the possible became history.

Tuesday’s meeting between Columbus and Ferguson needed extra innings to declare a winner.  Ferguson trailed by as many as six runs before mounting a comeback that involved a four-run, seventh-inning rally as the Falcons took advantage of costly errors and held on to win their 12th game of the season, 9-8.

The Falcons duked it out against the Columbus Explores for the second time this season and have now split the series, but Tuesday’s win over the Explorers has the Falcons in first place in 8A-15 with only two more district games left.

“We play in a district where anybody can beat anybody,” Ferguson Manager Jose Novas said. “Things weren’t going our way early and we could have packed it up and thrown in the towel, but my guys didn’t. We kept our composure and never gave up.”

The Explores charged early, opening up a seemingly comfortable lead in the first inning. Kevin Suarez led off and was walked to first. Laz Rivera was hit by a pitch, and Cris Perez held his bat and was walked, loading the bases for Columbus. Ryan Alvarez connected with a pitch, bringing Suarez for the game’s first run.

Chris Garabedian doubled and Gil Torres followed with a single for the Explorers. Columbus tallied six runs in the first inning off four hits.

Ferguson’s Christopher Bec singled to started the bottom of the first inning. Bec came in on a Jose Brito single, giving the Falcons a run of their own.

Columbus continued its array of hitting into the third inning. Alvarez led off with a single, and Garabedian followed with another single. Torres then laid down a bunt to third base, bringing in Alvarez.

The Falcons began to attack in the bottom of the third after Anthony Tucker’s single to left field awoke Ferguson. Chris Medina followed with a hit to left field. Brito was walked to first, and Tucker then came home on an Explorers’ error. Javier Valdes hit a sacrifice fly, bringing in the Falcon’s third run of the inning.

Columbus held a 7-4 lead until the seventh inning. Alvarez singled for his fourth hit of the game, and Danny Diaz followed with a double, putting Alvarez in scoring position. Pinch-hitter Michael Sanchez nailed a single just past first base, bringing in Alvarez and giving the Explorers a four-run lead.

The Falcons were three outs away from another loss to their district foes, but they had other plans. Bec started the rally with a single, Tucker followed with his third single of the game, and Medina then hit a grounder to left field that was mishandled, bringing in Bec and Tucker. Carlos Tapia singled up the middle, putting the tying run on base. But the Explorers forced back-to-back outs, almost ending the Falcons’ rally.

Javier Valdes walked to the plate with runners in scoring position, but one out away from a loss, Valdes cranked a shot to left center, bringing home Medina and Tapia, igniting the Ferguson crowd.

Ferguson carried the momentum into extra innings. Valdes was walked to start the ninth, Torres followed with a grounder that traveled through an Explorers leg for an error, putting Valdes on third. Columbus forced a flyout for the first out of the inning, and Pablo Nieves then hit a grounder to the shortstop. The Explorers, trying to get out of the inning unharmed, attempted a 6-4-3 double play, but the throw to first was mishandled, bringing in Valdes for the winning run.

“My hat goes off to them for staying in it and fighting,” Columbus Manager Joe Weber said. “It’s always tough to play here. We know when we come here, we’re in for a battle. I told my kids that we need to move from this and not think much about it. We’re moving on to practice tomorrow, and that’s it.”

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