Early mistakes prove costly for Falcons' in state tourney loss

AKRON – When you get to the state tournament, everything is bigger and magnified.

The Fairfield Union baseball team, playing in its first state tournament in 40 years (1986), didn’t let the moment become too big, but the Falcons certainly had their share of jitters in the first two innings in a Division IV state semifinal against Bishop Fenwick.

Fairfield Union committed four errors in the first inning, and Fenwick took advantage by scoring six runs. The Falcons were able to settle in the rest of the way, but it was too much to overcome in a 7-2 loss June 13 at Akron’s 7 17 Credit Union Park.

“The nerves were there, weren't they?” Fairfield Union coach Scott Burke said. “You come to the final four and play a team like Fenwick, and they are going to make you pay for your mistakes. We tried to do things perfectly, and nothing goes well when you try to be perfect. We needed to do what got us here. We didn’t handle their early offensive pressure.”

More: Five days in Akron with three softball teams left a lasting impression

It was the end of a dream season for the Falcons, who finished 24-7, including Mid-State League-Buckeye Division, district, and regional championships, which was the first time they accomplished those feats in more than two decades.

“We just weren't playing our best, and playing on a new field, we committed four errors, and the nerves got the best of us,” Fairfield Union senior shortstop Ashton Waldrop said. “It’s heartbreaking, and this is obviously not the outcome we wanted, but this has been an amazing season. We changed the program and made new beginnings for the young guys, so I am excited for the future.”

Fenwick scored an unearned run in the first inning and was able to plate five runs in the second with three hits, but two of the runs were scored on a bases-loaded balk and a wild pitch. The Falcons' nerves showed because they finished the game with three balks.