Falcons finish “sweep” of Chaparral!
By Pete Mohr | April 1, 2009
In 7-7 tie (darkness) at A.J., March 30
SCOTTSDALE – Want to understand just how huge the Falcons’ sweep of Chaparral was March 26? After a Mike Basco to Chris Sabanosh bang-bang play at first had ended the game, stranding the tying runs at 2nd and 3rd, I strolled out to the centerfield scoreboard while Head Coach Tom Scala gave his congratulatory critique to the ‘Birds. I had no intention of disrespecting the Firebirds by photographing the 5-3 score in their ball yard – although I must admit the temptation did cross my mind.
The Chaparral baseball venue is not named “Jerry Dawson Field” without valid reason. During Jerry Dawson’s reign as the Dean of Arizona High School Baseball Coaches, the Firebirds have won eight State Championships; finished as runner-ups four times; and taken back to Chappie Town twenty-three Region titles! I counted ‘em on the scoreboard display. That, Falcon fans, is how you spell “D-O-M-I-N-A-T-I-O-N” of 4A Conference baseball.
But last week, the Falcs earned their two days in the sun against the Big Kahunas: a 14-4 “mercy rule” win at Falcon Field on Tuesday, Mar. 24, and the 5-3 triumph (that’s what it was) at Chaparral two afternoons later -- with “Maria” (the wind) blowing from the west dead toward the first baseline in gusts that had to have exceeded 50 mph. Hats off (literally!) to both teams for an exciting, well-played game under near-impossible conditions.
Senior pitchers Ismael Castro and Jackson Goulder started and went the distance to notch the wins. On the 24th, Second baseman Austin Edwards, following (Chaparral transfer) junior shortstop Logan Davis’s first-pitch line drive single, launched his first Varsity home run, a towering drive that bounced off the electrical control building behind the fence to the left of the scoreboard. “A-l-l-r-i-t-e, Ozzie!”
The Falcons would rake four Firebird hurlers for 13 more hits, breaking the game open with seven runs in the home third. Four more runs in the bottom of the 5th “walked off” the Falcs (and their happy fans) in near-disbelief! Didn’t think I would live long enough! “Happy 72nd Birthday!” – to me, the next day.
At Chaparral on the March 26, knotted at 3-3 at the end of three, the Falcons loaded the bases with none out. Two fielder’s choices got the fourth and fifth runs home. Not pretty – but good enough to win. Goulder and his infield compadres (see accompanying photo) blanked the Firebirds the rest of the way. A diving Davis-to-Edwards-to Sabanosh DP in the bottom of the fourth was the critical play, until Basco’s tricky short-hop pick-up of Jordan Weymouth’s grounder got the game’s final out. Coach Dawson futilely protested the call.
Game over – sweep “battled for” (Coach Scala). Falcs go to 12-3 (2-0 in Region).
Last but not least, the Falcs’ flirtation with 
near-disaster at Apache Junction, Monday afternoon, March 30: game called on account of darkness (no lights at A.J.’s diamond), 7-7, top of the 9th, with Jay Burke on 3rd (double) and Davis on 1st (single), no outs. Chris Sabanosh (a monster two-run homer in the first and a game-tying RBI single in the seventh) and pitcher Mike Basco (allowing only one run, striking out nine in his six innings of relief) saved the Falcons (at least to this point) from a major Regional stumble. The game will resume Thurs. afternoon, April 2, at CSHS: top of the 9th, Jay Burke on third, Logan Davis on first, no outs. Complete game will follow – under the lights if necessary.
Photos: ?FULLY-CHARGED “BATTERIES!” Senior righthanders Ismael Castro (l., March 24, at CSHS) and Jackson Goulder (r., March 26, at Chap) were the starting and route-going winners in the Falcons’ regular season two-game sweep of the Firebirds. Senior Steffen Miner (middle) solidly caught both victories. ‘Way-ta-go, guys!
MERCY, MERCY ME! Senior Mike Basco’s two-RBI single in the bottom of the 5th “walked off” the Falcons to a 14-4 “mercy rule” embarrassment of the vaunted Chappies, Tuesday afternoon, Mar. 24. If the two ‘Birds never meet again, this win is to be savored forever!
“DEE-FENCE!” –- and Jackson Goulder’s stout-hearted pitching – carried the ‘Birds to their 5-3 win (and two-game sweep) Thursday afternoon., Mar. 26. (l-r) 3rd baseman Mike Basco, 2nd baseman Austin Edwards, shortstop Logan Davis and 1st baseman Chris Sabanosh came up big defensively to frustrate Head Coach Jerry Dawson and his Fire-Birds – at Jerry Dawson Field, no less!
LadyBirds “broomed;” edged, 5 - 4. by A.J.
By Pete Mohr | April 1, 2009
A combination of the Chaparral Lady Firebirds and the team-wide respiratory “crud” sent the Lady Falcons to 0-10 (“Our wheels came off!) and 1-5 (“definitely played much better against their best pitcher” – both quotes from Head Coach Danica Gianni) losses March 24 (A) & 26 (H). At CSHS, Monday, March 30, a recovering Amber Underdown came close to pitching the LadyBirds to a win over A.J.; but the Lady Prospectors rallied for two runs in the fifth to win, 5-4. Next home game: Tuesday, April 7, against the S.D.O. Lady Eagles. First pitch at 4 p.m. ~ Pete Mohr
Youth Football Registration
First Registration!
When: Saturday, April 4, 9 a.m. to Noon
Where: Black Mountain Elementary cafeteria
Flag Football: Ages 6-8 (no weight restrictions) Fee $125
Tackler Football: Ages 7-14 (weights 45 lbs. min.;
169 lbs. max.) Fee: $135 (if paid April 4)
Association Fees (by beginning of season:
Flag, $85; Tackle, $175)
–Registrant and a legal guardian must be present
–Proof of residency (original plus one copy)
–Birth certificate (original plus two copies)
CCCYF website: www.cavecreekfootball.com
