Charles W. Flanagan High School Baseball

On an evening where the Flanagan (18-2) seniors were honored in a pre-game ceremony, it was a big time relief pitching effort from junior Robert Collin (4.2 IP, 2 R, 0 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 K), and an ill-timed balk by Nova (16-4) in the bottom of the 8th inning, that helped the Falcons escape with a 7-6 win.  Collin was supported offensively in his 2nd varsity win by Falcon outfielders Geoff Jimenez (3-5, 2 R, 2B, RBI, 2 SB), Pichi Torres (2-3, R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB) and Ryan Lozada (2-4, R, 2 2B, RBI), while firstbaseman Michael Melendez (1-4, R, HR, RBI) drilled his 4th homerun of the season.

The Falcons took a 6-4 lead into the top of the 7th inning, but after two unearned Titan runs, and three stranded Flanagan baserunners in the bottom half, the teams would move into the 8th inning knotted at 6-6.  Collin would allow a two-out single, but did strike out the side, to give his team a chance to win it in the final frame.  Jimenez led off with a single to right, stole second on a strikeout, moved to third on a deep flyout and scored on the two-out balk by the Titans pitcher.

Flanagan, the #1 seed in 6A-District 12, now sets their sights on a postseason run, beginning with the district semifinal at Western on Monday night against the #4 seeded Wildcats.