Site search
sponsored by
News
Sports
 ENLARGE
|
Fallon Cal Ripken 9-year old All-Stars are, bottom row, from left, Trent Thorn, Micah Whitaker, Blake Malkovich, Talon Amezquita, Anthony Soriano and Brandon Rau. Middle row, from left, Tucker Stritenberger, Rian Greenwell, T.H. Fagg, Chad Martyn, Logan Smith. Back row, from left, coach Terry Fagg, manager James Work and coach Randy Greenwell. Not pictured is Bradley Sorensen.
|
The new season for Fallon's 9-under Cal Ripken league begins today.
The Fallon all-stars begin this year's state tournament with a 4 p.m. game against Spanish Springs at the North Valleys Regional Park in Reno. Sun Valley takes on the host Silver State at 6:30 p.m.
“We've gotten better every day,” Fallon manager James Word said. “We scrimmaged the 10-year-old all-stars and did remarkably well against them. We've just gotten better and we've practiced every day for three weeks. I'm pleased with how this team's been coming in a short amount of time.”
Word, managing his first all-star team after assisting with two in Maryland in the past, feels good about this year's all-stars. Wednesday's scrimmage against the 10-under team showed the coaching staff that their all-stars are ready for this weekend.
Opening against Spanish Springs, which has dramatically grown during the last few years, could set the tone for the tournament. But Word's not a believer in hearsay.
“It's hard because you hear people talking about how tough this team is and tough that team is,” said Word, who's assisted by Randy Greenwell and Terry Sagg. “It makes you want to jump to conclusions. We're going to be fine. The fact that Spanish Springs is picked to win it doesn't bother me or my team at all. We're in good shape. These boys have been taught all through the season.”
The losers in each game will meet on Saturday at 4 p.m., followed by the Fallon/Spanish Springs winner against Silver Stage. If Fallon drops into the losers bracket on Saturday, it will need to win twice on Sunday to advance to the title game.
The championship is Monday at 4 p.m. and an “if” game will follow 30 minutes later. The state champ will represent Nevada in the regional tournament in Fowler, Calif.
Clicking on all phases is one of the keys for Fallon, but Word said playing smart could be the difference to winning a title. Offense and pitching don't seem to present any problems, but Word added that the defense can be inconsistent.
“If they play the way they've been coached, offensively they should do very well,” Word said. “We are in the aggressive-first mentality. If we're facing a pitcher who throws a first strike, we want to be swinging. We do a little small ball. I've got kids that we've taught them how to tip the bat and the body.”
The outfield, though, seems to be the weakest link for the Fallon all-stars, but Word said they can play “sound” defense.
“We're sharp on the corners and good through the middle,” Word said. “Our outfield can get a little spotty at times. Three or four innings in, and with the heat the way it's been, the kids don't move as fast. We're very, very sound defensively where we can put nine kids on the field I feel we're going to compete.”
Members on the team include Talon Amezquita, T.J. Fagg, Rian Greenwell, Blake Malkovich, Chad Martin, Morgan McAlexander, Nathan Pustovich, Brandon Rau, Corbin Saucedo, Ethan Smith, Bradley Sorenson, Anthony Soriano, Tucker Stritenberger, Trent Thorn, Garrett Weltzin and Micah Whitaker.
The Fallon all-stars begin this year's state tournament with a 4 p.m. game against Spanish Springs at the North Valleys Regional Park in Reno. Sun Valley takes on the host Silver State at 6:30 p.m.
“We've gotten better every day,” Fallon manager James Word said. “We scrimmaged the 10-year-old all-stars and did remarkably well against them. We've just gotten better and we've practiced every day for three weeks. I'm pleased with how this team's been coming in a short amount of time.”
Word, managing his first all-star team after assisting with two in Maryland in the past, feels good about this year's all-stars. Wednesday's scrimmage against the 10-under team showed the coaching staff that their all-stars are ready for this weekend.
Opening against Spanish Springs, which has dramatically grown during the last few years, could set the tone for the tournament. But Word's not a believer in hearsay.
“It's hard because you hear people talking about how tough this team is and tough that team is,” said Word, who's assisted by Randy Greenwell and Terry Sagg. “It makes you want to jump to conclusions. We're going to be fine. The fact that Spanish Springs is picked to win it doesn't bother me or my team at all. We're in good shape. These boys have been taught all through the season.”
The losers in each game will meet on Saturday at 4 p.m., followed by the Fallon/Spanish Springs winner against Silver Stage. If Fallon drops into the losers bracket on Saturday, it will need to win twice on Sunday to advance to the title game.
The championship is Monday at 4 p.m. and an “if” game will follow 30 minutes later. The state champ will represent Nevada in the regional tournament in Fowler, Calif.
Clicking on all phases is one of the keys for Fallon, but Word said playing smart could be the difference to winning a title. Offense and pitching don't seem to present any problems, but Word added that the defense can be inconsistent.
“If they play the way they've been coached, offensively they should do very well,” Word said. “We are in the aggressive-first mentality. If we're facing a pitcher who throws a first strike, we want to be swinging. We do a little small ball. I've got kids that we've taught them how to tip the bat and the body.”
The outfield, though, seems to be the weakest link for the Fallon all-stars, but Word said they can play “sound” defense.
“We're sharp on the corners and good through the middle,” Word said. “Our outfield can get a little spotty at times. Three or four innings in, and with the heat the way it's been, the kids don't move as fast. We're very, very sound defensively where we can put nine kids on the field I feel we're going to compete.”
Members on the team include Talon Amezquita, T.J. Fagg, Rian Greenwell, Blake Malkovich, Chad Martin, Morgan McAlexander, Nathan Pustovich, Brandon Rau, Corbin Saucedo, Ethan Smith, Bradley Sorenson, Anthony Soriano, Tucker Stritenberger, Trent Thorn, Garrett Weltzin and Micah Whitaker.
