By Justin HAGER

After weeks of anticipation, the final two weeks of the regular season of CVHS boys’ baseball have arrived, featuring a four-game clash of the titans as CVHS takes on both of the other top two teams in the Pacific League. The Falcons entered the week in second place in the Pacific League after an impressive 4-0 victory last Friday night against Glendale. But with Burbank just one game back, the Falcons needed a victory on Tuesday to hold onto second place.

Although the intensity of the matchup did not disappoint, after seven innings of outstanding defensive play the Falcons fell to Burbank by a score of 1-0. CVHS had opportunities to score, stranding a total of six runners on base, including two in the fifth inning after a stolen base by Nico Terenzi and a patient walk by Rowan Respicio put two on with two outs and a runner in scoring position for Falcon slugger Noah Maddox.

Unfortunately, despite evidence to the contrary, even Maddox can’t hit a clutch double or home run every time he steps up to the plate.

In the other dugout, the Burbank Bulldogs nipped at the Falcons’ heels the entire game. But despite two on and only one out in the first, and two on and two outs in the fourth, the game entered the sixth inning still tied 0-0. That’s when Burbank seized a rare opportunity to get on the board by sacrificing another runner. With runners in the corners and Burbank senior Sam Leklyan pinch running at first, Leklyan attempted to steal second base. CV made an outstanding play to pick off Leklyan at second, but left open the opportunity for senior and team captain Ryan King to steal home, scoring the only run of the ballgame.

Despite the loss, the Falcons put on a clinic in solid defensive play with noteworthy performances by Evan Aceytuno making outstanding throws across his body, Respicio continuing with full sprinting run and guns, Jameson Ferraro’s unorthodox but nevertheless effective ability to move and make the play at first, and Brendon Pehar’s excellent reflexive play. Pehar also had a solid outing as a pitcher, going 5⅓ innings allowing only three hits and one run.

The Falcons will have the opportunity to seek revenge against Burbank on Friday night at 3:30 p.m. at Burbank High School.