FALCONS DEVOUR THE RIVERDOGS

Less than a month ago, the Herts Falcons second team were given a fright by the Richmond Riverdogs but in an amazing comeback, managed to win 24 – 23 at the Falcons home ground in Hemel. On Sunday, the Falcons travelled to Richmond to face the Riverdogs for the third and final time this season.

Holidays and injuries meant the Falcons were down to 8 and a half players with starting pitcher Paul Raybould passing a pre-game fitness test but still hobbling on an injury he received to his right foot two weeks ago in Brentwood. In the blistering heat and on a rock hard field, the Falcons scored 2 runs in the top of the first inning. Shortstop Ross Davies started the game with a single to left field. Solid defence saw the Riverdogs go scoreless in their 1st inning.

Raybould helped his own cause with a solo home run over the right field fence to lead off the 3rd inning. By the end of 4 innings, the Falcons had a 6 – 0 lead. Again, some excellent fielding kept the Riverdogs from scoring.

The Falcons bats got as hot as the weather in the 5th and some clutch hitting by Eddie Serocinski, Dave Hamilton, and 14 year-old Peter Kikel helped the team to a 12 – 0 lead. The Riverdogs finally put a score on the board in the bottom of the 5th.

In the 6th, the Falcons went wild by scoring a massive 16 runs. Virtually everyone in the team collected a hit including Sean Young, Rob Jones and Jason Sarfi-Annin. Richmond added a run in their half of the inning.

The Falcons added another run in the 7th. With two outs in the bottom of the 7th, Richmond finally started to get at Raybould who had pitched the whole game and was now tiring in the heat. Although they were losing 29 – 2, the Riverdogs fought to the end and some good hitting helped them score 5 more runs. Davies ended the game by fielding a hard hit ground ball and throwing the runner out at first base.

It was one of the Falcons best performances of the season both with the bat and in the field. Particular mention must go to catcher Kal Dimitrov who was faultless behind the plate, a regular base-runner throughout the game, and added his own brand of humour to a game played by both teams in good spirits.

Next Sunday the Falcons 2 are at home to the Havering Cardinals.