DuBOIS — Almost as early as you could do it, the Union/A-C Valley Falcon Knights baseballers are off to a 1-0 start.
Moving a previously scheduled home game with District 10’s Reynolds up from May 9, the Falcon Knights dealt the Raiders a 14-4 loss in a six-inning game stopped via the 10-Run Rule at Stern Field Saturday afternoon.
The Falcon Knights were scheduled to visit Reynolds on March 28 for their next game. First-year head coach Logan Pistorious was happy to see his team get the season off on the right foot.
Junior Noah Ithen and senior Ryan Armagost combined for the win on the mound with Ithen going the first four innings and giving up five hits with five strikeouts against no walks while Armagost threw the final two innings, giving up two hits and three walks while striking out two. None of the four Reynolds runs were earned.
At the plate, the Falcon Knights banged out 10 hits, including two each from Armagost and fellow seniors Colbin Elliott and Carter McGarvey. Senior Cody Bobbert doubled and drove in three runs while Armagost and senior Trent Fleming added doubles. Armagost, Elliott and junior Andrew Preston hit triples.
“I told the guys Saturday that we had a good day at the plate and quality innings out of our two guys on the mound and we played a pretty good defensive game,” Pistorious said. “You put those three things together and you’re going to find yourself on the good end of a lot of games. Having that confidence on the mound with good defense behind you, that’s a good recipe.”
Pistorious, coming off his first season as the varsity boys’ basketball coach at Union, is in his third season with the baseball program and replaces long-time head coach Dewey Irwin.
“Coach Irwin kind of gave the reins to me more as far as planning practice and being the third-base coach,” Pistorius said. “I had experience under my belt. The program is in good shape and it’s been an easy transition. We have a successful season last year and we’re looking for the same this year.”
The Falcon Knights were 11-8 last year, losing 4-3 in the District 9 Class 3A semifinals to eventual champion Karns City.
While they didn’t lose much to graduation, their two key seniors Sebastian Link and Chase Ruth combined to pitch 96 1/3 of the staff’s 118 innings. Naturally, that’s a big challenge out of the gate for pitching staff and Ithen and the lefty Armagost are their top two arms going into the schedule.
“We’re in good shape,” Pistorious said. “There are guys who have limited varsity experience, but I’m confident in sending a lot of guys to the mound. I look for Noah to have a big year for us. He had a good fall season and has been working hard over the winter. With Ryan being a lefty, he’s a lanky guy with some natural movement, so I think that’ll be a nice 1-2 punch.”
Elliott and Fleming are other arms on the staff as well as McGarvey.
Fleming, the team’s leadoff hitter, will be at shortstop if he’s not pitching. Langdon, a returning KSAC All-Conference selection, anchors the outfield in center after hitting .289 with a team-best 17 stolen bases. Elliott (.304) starts at third base while McGarvey is at first base and Armagost is in right field if he’s not pitching.
Senior Caden Burns starts at second and could see some time in the outfield while senior Cody Bobbert (.278) plays left field
Juniors Alex Walzak, another returning regular at third base and DH, and Lexan Alworth are others looking to make an impact in the lineup of a team that wasn’t too far off from getting to the D9 final.
“They were close last year,” Pistorious said. “A lot of the guys back still have that taste in their mouth, so hopefully it’ll be a repeat for them to get back.”
The Falcon Knights’ next game is set for March 26 at Stern Field again with Clarion-Limestone.
The rest of the Falcon Knights’ coaching staff consists of Lane Larimore, Tony McGarvey, Jamie Preston and Scott Kindel.
ROSTER
Seniors: Trent Fleming, Ryan Armagost, Carter McGarvey, Caden Burns, Colbin Elliott, Cody Bobbert.
Juniors: Candan Six, Connor Langdon, Noah Ithen, Andrew Preston, Alex Walzak, Lexan Alworth.
Sophomores: Noah Langdon, Peyton Wilson, David Lutz, Maddox Duffee.
Freshmen: Micah Kindel, Hayden Corle, Andrew Kifer, Quinn Sundling, Carson Crissman, Nash Earley, Brock Gagliano.
SCHEDULE
March
14-Reynolds (14-4 W); 26–C-L (Stern Field, Dubois); 31-Karns City (Stern Field, DuBois), 5 p.m.
April
2-at West Middlesex; 7-at Brookville; 9-North Clarion (Stern Field, DuBois); 10-Cranberry (Stern Field, DuBois); 14-at Keystone; 17-Johnsonburg (Stern Field, DuBois), 6 p.m.; 18-at Smethport (Stern Field, DuBois), 6 p.m.; 21-Clarion; 24-at Karns City (Butler), 6 p.m.; 27-at Redbank Valley (Union); 29-at Cranberry.
May
4-Moniteau; 5-Keystone; 12-Brockway
Games begin at 4 p.m. unless otherwise noted.