Falcons Clinch Regional Berth, Finish State Runner-Up
Klamath Falls beat Central Point to secure its trip to Wyoming before falling 2-1 to Eugene in the Oregon Class A championship.
FAST FACTS
Championship Sunday: Klamath Falls split two elimination games, clinching a regional berth and finishing as Oregon Class A runner-up
Regional-Clinching Win: Corbin Hamilton threw a complete-game four-hitter with eight strikeouts in a 5-2 win over Central Point
State Championship: The Falcons fell 2-1 to Eugene in a pitchers’ duel
Championship Performance: Kollin Tacchini allowed five hits and one earned run over six innings
At the Plate: Hamilton had two hits in the title game; Tacchini drove in two runs against Central Point
Up Next: Northwest Class A Regional Tournament, Aug. 6-10 in Casper, Wyoming
NORTH BEND, Ore. — The Klamath Falls Falcons are headed to the Northwest Regional Tournament after a strong finish at the Oregon American Legion Class A State Tournament this weekend in North Bend.
Klamath Falls won the game it needed to extend its season Sunday, defeating the Central Point Comets 5-2 to secure Oregon’s second regional berth. The Falcons later battled Eugene Ole Athletics in a tightly contested state championship game, falling 2-1 to finish as Oregon’s runner-up.
The results capped a demanding final day that saw Klamath Falls play two games with both a state title and a regional opportunity on the line.
Corbin Hamilton delivered a complete-game performance against Central Point, holding the Comets to four hits and no earned runs over seven innings.
Walk-Off Celebration: The Klamath Falls Falcons celebrate their July 25 walk-off win over Columbia River Gorge, one of the victories that carried the team into championship Sunday and ultimately to a regional berth. Photo by Mike Safford.
Central Point took a 1-0 lead in the opening inning, but the Falcons quickly answered.
Kollin Tacchini lined a two-run single to put Klamath Falls ahead, and Ty Teaters added an RBI single as the Falcons scored three times in the bottom of the first.
Klamath Falls added runs in the second and fourth innings, building enough separation for Hamilton to carry the Falcons the rest of the way. Central Point scored once more in the sixth but could not complete the comeback.
The 5-2 win sent the Falcons into the state championship and guaranteed that their season would continue in Wyoming.
COVER IMAGE: The Klamath Falls Falcons receive the Oregon American Legion Class A runner-up banner after a 2-1 loss to Eugene in the state championship. The finish secured the Falcons a place in the Northwest Regional Tournament. Photo by Mike Safford.
Championship Comes Down to One Run
Klamath Falls and Eugene traded runs in the first inning of the championship before settling into a pitchers’ duel.
Kollin Tacchini held Eugene to five hits over six innings, allowing only one earned run. Eugene pitcher Coda Skinner was equally effective, limiting the Falcons to four hits and an unearned run in a complete-game effort.
Eugene broke the 1-1 tie in the fifth inning. Beau Travis singled and later scored on a Colton Hartman fielder’s choice after Eugene loaded the bases.
The Falcons put runners in scoring position during several innings but could not bring home the tying run.
Hamilton collected two of Klamath Falls’ four hits in the championship game, while Ty Thomas and Jace Nickerson each added one.
Although the state title narrowly slipped away, the Falcons leave North Bend as state runners-up and one of two teams representing Oregon at the next level.
Regional Tournament Ahead
Mike Lansing Field: The Klamath Falls Falcons will continue their postseason run at Mike Lansing Field in Casper, Wyoming, during the Northwest Class A Regional Tournament Aug. 6-10. Photo courtesy of Visit Casper.
The Northwest Class A Regional Tournament is scheduled for Aug. 6-10 at Mike Lansing Field in Casper, Wyoming.
Klamath Falls will compete as Oregon’s second qualifier in Pool A alongside Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. State champion Eugene will play in Pool B with Montana, Alaska and the Casper host team.
The Falcons’ pool schedule includes:
Thursday, Aug. 6, at 1 p.m. against Idaho
Friday, Aug. 7, at 4 p.m. against Wyoming
Saturday, Aug. 8, at 10 a.m. against Utah
The top two teams from each pool will advance to the semifinals Sunday, Aug. 9. The semifinal winners will meet for the regional championship at noon Monday, Aug. 10.
All games will be seven innings unless shortened under the tournament’s 10-run rule.
The regional appearance gives the Falcons another opportunity to build on a postseason run that already includes an Oregon runner-up finish and a place among the Northwest’s top American Legion Class A teams.
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