FALCONS AND DRAGONS TAKE IT DOWN TO THE WIRE
Jefferson, OH- In a cold and rainy showdown that went down to the wire, the Jefferson Falcons secured a dramatic 8-7 victory over the Lakeside Dragons on Tuesday, sealing the win in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The Dragons struck first in the top of the first inning, capitalizing on two well-placed singles to grab an early lead. Wagner’s hit paved the way for Lakeside to put a run on the board.
However, the Falcons wasted no time responding, showcasing their resilience in the bottom of the first inning. Michael Riffle’s impressive triple and a wild pitch allowed Jefferson to tie the game, setting the stage for a back-and-forth battle.
Jefferson surged ahead in the bottom of the second inning, with Braden Dietrich’s clutch double driving in a crucial run to give the Falcons a narrow 3-2 advantage.
Despite Lakeside’s resilient efforts, Jefferson continued to apply pressure, maintaining their lead until the top of the fourth inning. Lakeside rallied, reclaiming the lead with a trio of runs scored after a walk, a single by Stitt, and a run scored on a tag-up play by Crayton.
With the game on the line in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Falcons summoned their fighting spirit, staging a remarkable comeback. Giovanni Matticola’s clutch single drove in the winning run, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and securing the Falcons’ hard-fought victory.
Braden Dietrich emerged as the hero for Jefferson, earning the win on the mound with a stellar relief performance. His two innings of work stifled Lakeside’s offense, allowing just one earned run while striking out two batters.
Although Lakeside battled fiercely, it was Jefferson’s relentless determination and timely hitting that ultimately sealed the victory. Logan Saksa and Giovanni Matticola led the charge at the plate, each collecting two hits and driving in crucial runs for the Falcons.
Looking ahead, the Falcons are poised to carry this momentum into their next matchup against Lakeside on Wednesday, eager to build upon their success and continue their pursuit of victory.
For Lakeside, Caleb Stitt, Matt Wagner, and Chase Newsome showcased their offensive prowess, each collecting two hits in the contest. Despite the outcome, Lakeside demonstrated their defensive prowess, committing no errors and showcasing solid fielding throughout the game.
