Falcons Defeat Elks for Second Night in a Row

The Falcons are looking for a clean sweep after taking the first two games over the Bend Elks on Friday and Saturday.

The Elks took the lead first, getting a lead-off double and passed ball to bring Cadyn Grenier to third. A single by West Tunnell scored the first run of the game.

Kelowna got on the board in the third inning as Kyle Plantier smacked a high fly ball to left field with two outs. The ball touched the ground outside the ballpark, Plantier’s first of the season. The Falcons then bumped it up to 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth after JJ Muno singled and stole second. There were two outs, and Lane Lacrone put the ball to the left as Muno beat a wide throw to home.

Kyle Plantier had a homer in the third inning. (Photo Credit: Susan Miller)

Starter Michael Koval had five innings for Kelowna to pick up his second win. He scattered five hits and struck out four.

Kelowna kept up the momentum in the seventh, as the Falcons got in two more runs off starter Rio Gomez. The Elks soon walked a pair of Falcons hitters, including Hunter Villanueva with the bases loaded. Mack Gaul hit Justin Flores’ knee for another run, and a Brandon Oliver Sacrific Fly made the game 5-1 for Kelowna.

The Falcons’ offence kept up its strength in the eighth. Muno stole third after a single and wild pitch, and Plantier soon picked up his second RBI of the game. Lacrone singled in a run, and then Villanueva hit a Sac Fly of his own. Flores had a double down the line to make the game 9-1.

File photo. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)

Spencer Applebach then had a scoreless ninth inning to finish off the game, putting down the Elks 1,2,3 in his first WCL outing.

Kelowna now advances to a 27-14 record, in the lead by six games in the East Division. On Sunday at 6:05 p.m., the Falcons will take on the Elks again to look for a sweep.