By Jeremy Goode
PHILA.-- Friends Select School’s three-run bottom of the seventh inning fell just short, as the Falcons fell at home to the George School Cougars, 7-6, at Fairmount Park on April 11.
“I’ve been asking them for effort and attitude; those two things,” head coach Dave Semel said. “They give me 100 percent with their effort and they stay in it till the last out, that’s all I can ask for.”
The Falcons suffered a quick deficit in the top of the first, as the Cougars were able to put together three runs in that half of the inning. Falcons starting pitcher Conor Humowiscki was throwing strikes, and the Cougars were just able to take advantage of the ball being in the zone, allowing them to put the ball in play often.
After that hiccup to lead off the game, the Falcons picked it up offensively in the bottom half of the first. Jameson Slusarck singled down the third base line. Scott Aaronson beat out a line drive off the glove of George School’s second baseman. Clean-up hitter Bryan Dedmon walked to load the bases, and Humowiscki then blasted a double to left center field, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
“That was really big; that got my confidence up,” Humowiscki said. “That showed me that we’re a team that can compete and even if we are down by three in the first inning, we’ll always come back and we’ll always keep fighting.”
The Falcons experienced a bit of trouble in the top of the second. With one out and runners on first and second, George School was able to tack on another run with a chopping ground ball that just got through the left side of the infield. Friends Select ‘s second baseman was able to hold George School to one run that half inning, converting on a double play by catching a shallow pop fly in right field and throwing out a runner on third base who was attempting to tag and score.
Friends Select in game vs. George School. (video/ Jeremy Goode for PSD)
The Falcons would struggle in the next two innings, going down in order both times. It would not be until the bottom of the fourth inning when the Falcons would be able to generate some offense, sparked by Dedmon. After a leadoff walk, Dedmon took second after a pickoff attempt at first went out of play. He then stole third base, sliding in right before the tag. George School’s pitcher then sailed a pickoff attempt into foul territory on the third base side, and Dedmon walked in to score. It was now a 5-3 game, where tit remained into the top of the fifth.
When asked about what helped the Falcons come back, Dedmon acknowledged the importance of being active on the basepaths.
“Just being aggressive on the basepath and trying to cause chaos,” Dedmon said. “Trying to take advantage of the defense and find different ways to win.”
Cole Semel came in for a second inning of relief and was able to put together a scoreless inning, keeping the Falcons’ deficit at two heading into the bottom of the fifth.
The Falcons would go down one-two-three in the bottom of the fifth. Semel continued his solid outing in relief, as he was able to get out of a major jam by allowing only one run after leading off the top of the sixth inning after allowing runners to reach second and third. A ground ball back to Semel and he threw out the runner returning to third. After loading the bases on a walk that scored the sixth run for the Cougars, Semel was able to record a second out strikeout, and then earn the third out on a ground ball to Miles Lesser at third base.
Friends Select's Bryan Dedmon talks about team's offense that helped propel them forward. (Video/ Jeremy Goode for PSD)
Friends Select Pitcher Conor Humowiscki had strong game on the mound. (Video/ Jeremy Goode For PSD)
“Big confidence boost for Cole,” Dave Semel said. “He’s a sophomore along with Conor, so for them to gain this confidence in varsity games against good competition is really big for them.”
George School was able to score another run in the top of the seventh, giving themselves a 7-3 lead. They stranded runners on second and third to go to the last half inning up four runs.
In the bottom of the seventh, the youthful Falcons squad, led by only one senior, put together a rally. After leading off with a strikeout, Bryce Dodd walked and immediately stole second, grabbing third base after the ball sailed into center field. The Falcons then found themselves with runners on second and third with one out, as Semel walked and stole second.
Slusarck followed by recording his second hit, another single, scoring both baserunners to make it 7-5. Aaronson was hit by pitch, and then Slusarck stole third and went home after the throw to third went into left field. Dedmon was able to move Aaronson to third for the second out of the inning with a groundout to the pitcher. Down 7-6, with the tying run on third, Humowiscki hit a hard grounder to the shortstop, who fielded the ball and made a strong throw across the diamond to seal the game for George School.
It was a tough defeat for the Falcons, but the comeback says a lot about the team, according to Humowiscki.
“I think we are on the rise,” Humowiscki said. “If we can keep it clean, stop the errors, and get our bats going we’ll be good.”
For team chemistry, Dedmon believes even with the loss the team came together, and he is hoping they will build off this game.
“I feel like we finally felt like a team,” Dedmon said. “Just grinding out, picking each other up… We have a game tomorrow, so we want to start off how we ended today.”
Friends Select in game vs. George School. (Photos/ Jeremy Goode
On Friday, April 14th the Falcons faced a tough 7-6 loss in a game that lasted 10 innings against Germantown Friends.
The Falcons continue league play today with home game at 4:00 p.m. against Moorestown Friends.