It was a powerful night at Elks Stadium on Friday night with the Falcons scoring twice in the bottom of the ninth to comeback to beat the Portland Pickles 6-5.

Baseball took a backseat in the top of the fifth as both teams and the umpires paused the game in order to honour and show support for a loved one battling cancer.  The night was pegged “Strikeout Cancer,” with players and coaches from both teams, plus the umpires standing at the pitcher’s mound with the name of a person close to them that has battled or is battling the disease on a special card.   Fans showed their support as well in the stands holding the same cards.   It was one of the most powerful and emotional nights at Elks Stadium this season.

During the game, the Pickles opened the scoring in the top of the second off starter Reece Bueno who put together an impressive outing.  That would be the only run he would allow over the course of his four innings of work.   He scattered five hits and struck out three in the no decision.

In the fourth the Falcons tied it thanks to an RBI single by Jacob Devenny to chase home Matthew Pena who doubled to open the inning.

After the Pickles struck for three in the top of the fifth, the Falcons came back to score a pair of their own.  Pena had the biggest knock of the inning, a two-run double to score Myles Walton and Caden Mitchell.  Then in the sixth the Falcons would tie it again when Walton came home after a Pickles defensive error.

The Pickles retook the lead in the top of the eighth inning with a single run, setting the table for the comeback in the bottom of the ninth.  Walton singled to open the inning, then promptly stole second.  Sam Flores then doubled to bring in Walton to tie the game.  The next two batters walked to load the bases in front of Aidan Kuni.  He quickly fell behind 0-2 before working the count to full.  On the next pitch he smashed a ball over the centerfielder’s head to cash pinch runner Nate Gray Jr with the game winning run.

Saturday night the Falcons and Pickles meet again on RCMP Appreciation Night.  The players will be wearing customized police jerseys for the game.  Get to the ballpark early because the RCMP helicopter is scheduled to land in centerfield at 6:15pm carrying a very special furry friend to deliver the official game ball.  The gates open at 5:30pm, with the first pitch at 6:35pm.  Fans can pre-purchase tickets HERE.

This incredible photo was captured by  Tami Quan Photography