The Falls Church Colts ended their season on a low note, failing to win a game in a doubleheader against the Thomas Jefferson Nationals. Even though their campaign ended with losses in four out of the last five games, the Colts are looking ahead to what should be a bright season at George Mason High School.
The first game ended in a 1-1 tie, called because of time constraints following the eighth inning. Jake Bennett and Zach Glenn teamed up for a masterful pitching effort, each hurling four innings and limiting Jefferson to just four hits.
Two of those four singles came in the fourth inning, when Jefferson plated their lone run off a hit by pitch. Save that slip up, however, the Colts were unusually efficient on the defensive end.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Colts struck out four times, but scored their sole run thanks to a pair of errors by the Nationals. GMHS junior Evans Mandes singled to lead off the frame and promptly stole second, scoring four batters later on an error by Jefferson’s shortstop.
In the latter contest, the Nationals surged ahead in a seven-run sixth inning. Quinn Casteel started on the bump for the Colts, allowing three runs in three innings. Mandes pitched the fifth and gave up three scores before giving way to Kyle Barrand, whose rocky sixth inning saw the Nationals take the lead for good.
All told, the Nationals pounded out 18 hits, but capitalized on a plethora of F.C. walks and errors. The Colts, likewise, had their own big inning to stay in the ball game, plating six in the fifth, aided by three walks and some timely runs batted in by Wolfe and Andrew Lieber.
If their up and down summer season is any indication for the GMHS feeder team, the Colts players should see a substantial increase in offensive production come spring – something that GMHS previously lacked.
“I think we exceeded most expectations this summer,” said Mike Ward. “If you compared our offensive numbers in the summer to our spring numbers at [GMHS], you wouldn’t believe that it was the same group of kids.”
While the Mustangs hit well under .300 as a team in the spring, the Colts have displayed their firepower on a consistent basis, hitting over .300. Lieber, a .300 hitter in the spring, is batting well over .500 for the Colts, leading F.C. in nearly every offensive category. Common thought among the players foresees a successful spring following.
“With hard work and some pitchers stepping up, I believe that Mason will do pretty well in the district,” Lieber said.