In Jonathan Imperial’s Last Game, Pippins Rock Falcons 13-5

The Pippins offense exploded for the second straight night as they beat the Falcons 13-5 in the rubber game of the series and the last game for Pippins outfielder Jonathan Imperial.

Chase Farrell got his first start for the Pippins and ran into some early trouble. With one out in the first inning, the Falcons put four straight runners on base with a walk and three singles, including an RBI single from Cody Crowder. A sacrifice fly by Ryan Fish drove in the second run of the inning. Farrell was able to escape further damage, striking out Garrett Kelly for the final out, as his pitch count rose over thirty.

Farrell settled down after the first inning, giving up just one more run in the third.

After holding the Pippins scoreless through the first two innings, Falcons starter Travis Martizia ran into trouble in the bottom of the third. With two outs and runners at first and second, Chris Arpan drove a ball to the right-center field wall, plating both runs. Playing in his last game of the season before returning to the US Air Force Academy, Imperial followed with a single, putting runners at first and third. Sam Mitchell then drove a ball off the third base bag and into left field, driving in two more runs and giving the Pippins their first lead of the game 4-3.

The Pippins would add another run in the sixth to extend the lead.

After recovering from the first inning, Farrell pitched into the sixth being pulled with one out in the inning and no one on. Jack Gonzales would relieve Farrell and finish off the inning.

In the seventh, the Falcons mounted a comeback against Gonzales. Mike Pineiro hit a one out double and Tyler Nixon would drive him in with a single and bring the Falcons within a run. With two outs, Crowder and Taylor Wright hit back to back singles, scoring Pineiro. Gonzales was able to strand runners at the corners and keep the game tied at five.

Unfazed at just giving up the lead, the Pippins came right back with two of their own in the bottom half of the inning with Arpan hitting another double and driving in a run. Imperial also had a sacrifice fly, giving the Pippins a 7-5 lead.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Pippins made sure they would have a comfortable ninth inning.  Isaac Olson started the inning and after a single, two wild pitches and a walk, was removed for Owen Leonard. Four straight base hits later, including a three run blast by the hot hitting Cole Pofek, the Pippins extended their lead to 13-5. Kellan Richards, the third pitcher of the inning for the Falcons would record the final three outs.

Kaleb Strawn threw a scoreless ninth and sealed the Pippins second straight win and a series win over the Falcons.

The Pippins will head up to Kelowna on Friday to take on the Falcons for three more games. First pitch on Friday at 6:35.