Falcons return to baseball playoffs

If there is a dark horse in the crowded PIAA District 9 baseball playoff field, it has to be Coudersport.

Coach Doug McClintic's Falcons barely slipped into the hunt when school officials agreed to enter the playoffs with a .500 record (7-7). McClintic says his team has been building some momentum in recent weeks and could be a spoiler.

Last year, Coudersport battled all the way to the state's Elite 8 before losing a heartbreaker to Saltsburg.

This year, they open up at 4:30 Tuesday afternoon at Curwensville (13-5). The winner advances to the D9 quarterfinals with a trip to Cameron County on Thurday (4:30). Tuesday's loser is eliminated.

On Wednesday, the Falcons took advantage of errors and timely hitting to knock off the visiting Kane Wolves, 6-2.

Bret Metzger pitched five scoreless innings, allowing just three hits, and Brian Wetzel worked the final two.

Kirk Duffee doubled and scored on Isaac Cary's single in the first. Ben Reynolds doubled in another run in the second. Then Derek Burdick doubled in the third and came across on a fielder's choice, making it 3-0. Three unearned runs in the sixth provided insurance

Last Saturday, Metzger and John Hau combined for a twohitter while Duffee clouted a two-run homer in Coudersport's 15-1 win over a weary Smethport team that was closing out a five-game week.

Reynolds had three hits, while Metzger and Zach Buckler slapped two hits apiece.