By Justin HAGER

The CVHS boys baseball team still has one game remaining on its regular season schedule, but their fate was sealed last night as their 7-5 loss to Arcadia eliminated them from contention for the Pacific League title. Combined with Burbank’s loss to Burroughs on Monday, the Falcons now have a lock on sole possession of second place with Arcadia winning the 2021 League pennant. 

Optimism for the Falcons to upset the undefeated Apaches ran high going into Tuesday night’s clash. CVHS stole a victory from the jaws of defeat just three days earlier when, after a masterful six-inning, 10-strikeout showing from pitcher Jameson Ferraro kept the Falcons’ game against Burbank tied at 2-2 going into the seventh inning. That’s when Emilio Velis walked to first and was replaced by pinch runner Mason Faunce. Using his lighting-fast speed he advanced to second on a fielder’s choice, stole third base and, finally, in one of the most unlikely outcomes of the season, stole home to score the winning run while delivering an emotional nail in the Bulldogs’ proverbial coffin. 

While the Falcons will not win the Pacific League, their victory over the Bulldogs on Friday was critical to the team’s playoff picture, as could a victory this upcoming Friday in their rematch against Arcadia. By taking second place in the Pacific League, rather than third, CVHS will likely have a significantly friendlier seed and opponent when CIF-SS pairings are announced this upcoming Sunday, May 30.