Westminster Christian Advances To Title Game In Falcon Challenge

Westminster Christian is coming off a storybook season that ended with players piled up on the mound at jetBlue Park in Fort Myers. After two games, it appears that the 2016 version of the Warriors is looking for the same type of outcome.

For the second consecutive day, Westminster took down one of the top teams in the state. On Tuesday, it was defending 8A champion Columbus, and on Wednesday night it was the Falcon Challenge hots, Flanagan. Jakob Zarello took the mound to start this one, and he was in control the entire night, leading the Warriors to a 5-2 win.

Dylan O’Connell did his best to keep Westminster at bay, giving up only one earned run in four innings, while striking out seven. Zarello, meanwhile, threw a complete game, allowing three hits and striking out 11.

Both teams had issues with control, as a total of 15 batters reached base via base on balls.

The Warriors jumped on the board first with a patient approach at the plate. Three walks and a fielders choice scored Clinton Gulley with the games first run.

The game stayed 1-0 into the fifth, when Westminster pushed across a second run.

In the top of the seventh, the Warriors finally gave Zarello some breathing room. Gulley, Miguel Cardozo, and Zorello all had one-out walks. A single by Alvaro Valdez plated two runs, and saw courtesy runner Mike Acosta also add a third run, making the score 5-0 heading to the bottom of the seventh.

The Falcons made some noise in their half of the inning. Edward Schissler struck out, but reached on a dropped third strike. Arrison Perez hit a pinch hit single, and Eric Rivera also singled in the inning. Flanagan was able to scratch out two runs, but that would be all they could muster.

Westminster moves into the title game of the Falcon Challenge against Douglas on Friday night. Flanagan will face Monsignor Pace in the third place game.

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