Baseball titans may meet again
Falcons clip Raiders twice

Andrew Mickle eludes the tag at third base in the seventh inning of Friday's high school baseball showdown in Coudersport. He trotted home on Adam Foust's single to give the Falcons a 7-6 win over previously unbeaten Cameron County. Coudersport also won a rematch, 11-10, Wednesday night in Emporium. The two teams could meet again in the District 9 playoffs.

Virtually everybody who follows high school baseball in the region was focused on the diamond in Emporium Wednesday night, as undefeated Coudersport pulled into town for a rematch with the Red Raiders.

For the second time in five days, the Falcons edged Cameron County by a single run, this time 11-10, leaving fans from both teams hoping for a repeat engagement soon in the PIAA District 9 playoffs.

Coach Doug McClintic's Coudersport squad (8-0) is finding ways to win, despite a pitching corps that is far from dominating. The Falcons have solid hitters up and down the lineup. They've proven with two wins over a powerhouse Cameron County that they belong among the District 9 elite.

Two games with a tough Kane team - Friday at CARP Field and Monday in Kane - will further test the Falcons, as will a trip to Johnsonburg on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Cameron County (9-2) will regroup and prepare for a busy week. The Raiders go to Northern Potter Tuesday, then play consecutive home games on Thursday (Otto-Eldred), Friday (make-up game with Ridgway) and Saturday (Oswayo Valley).

Brett Whitman's grand slam home run and Bret Metzger's three-run shot were the big blows as Coudersport mounted an 11-3 lead entering the bottom of the sixth inning in Wednesday's game.

Cameron trimmed the gap to 11-6 entering the seventh. Garrett Hornung clouted a two-run homer and the Raiders put the potential tying run on second base before fading.

Brian Wetzel went the front five to pick up the mound win, walking a pair and surrendering three runs and six hits. Metzger and Whitman struggled through the final two innings to hold on.

David Lyon and Jordan Crane each had three hits for the hosts, both with doubles. Abram Zoschg homered. Darrick Mason and Sean McManigle both added two hits.

Pitchers Hornung and Crane were roughed up for all 11 Coudersport runs. Lyon pitched a scoreless seventh.

Last Friday, Coudersport pulled out a thrilling 7-6 win.

Hornung's two-run homer in the top of the seventh put Cameron County up 6-5, but the Falcons answered with a pair. Eric Babcock led off with a single and Andrew Mickle followed with a hit that took a wacky carom in right field, sending Babcock home with the tying run.

After a pair of intentional walks, Adam Foust drilled the game-winner to left field, plating Mickle.

Whitman worked into the seventh inning on the mound, striking out eight and allowing six hits. Wetzel closed out the seventh and ended up getting the win.

Crane went the distance for the Raiders.

Lyon had a three-run homer and Crane a solo shot for Cameron County. Zach Buckler and Colton Corey had two hits each for Coudersport.

On Saturday, Cameron County broke open a close game at Johnsonburg with a five-spot in the fourth inning, highlighted by Cameron Clingan's threerun homer. The Raiders went on to win, 23-6.

Pitchers Lyon and Hornung combined to strike out 10 and limit the Rams to six hits.

An 11-run sixth inning included Darrick Mason's threerun homer, his fourth hit of the game.

Also on Saturday, Coudersport was winning at Smethport, 4-0, in the third inning before heavy thunderstorms wiped out the game.