Hardeeville, SC -- The Fisher Falcons opened the season with a hard fought extra inning victory of the University of South Carolina Beaufort Sand Sharks Friday afternoon. It was the first game of the year for the Falcons who travelled over night to take on their southern rivals for the fifth consecutive year.
For just the second time in school history the Falcons were able to taken down the Sand Sharks who hold a 2-14 record all time against Fisher.
The Falcons opened the scoring in the top of the 1st when Eridani Dume (Boston, MA) led off the game with a double down the left field line. Dume would score then junior Anthony Peguero (Boston, MA) doubled to left after a diving empty by the USCB left fielder game up short. Peguero was making his debut for the Falcons after transferring in this semester.
USCB's Ashly Morris tied it with a one-out RBI single up the middle in the second, but it was one of few timely hits for the Sand Sharks, who left 15 men on base.
Davidson Peguero's (Boston, MA) sacrifice fly put Fisher ahead 2-1 in the fifth, and that's where it stood until the ninth when Kyle Thompson drew a leadoff walk, moved to second on Brandon Joyce's third sacrifice bunt of the day and scored on junior outfielder Blake Cilwick's one-out RBI single in the ninth to tie it at 2 and force extra innings, but the Falcons scored four runs in the top of the 11th to snap an 11-game losing streak against the Sand Sharks.
Stephen Richards pitched well in relief to keep the Sand Sharks in it, but the Falcons finally got to him in the 11th with the help of an error, and infield single and a fielder's choice. Anthony Peguero plated the eventual winning runs with a two-run single and Dominic Zaher and Ivan Cabranes added RBIs later in the inning.
Yale transfer Christopher O'Hare picked up the win with three scoreless innings of relief. He entered the game in the top of the ninth but failed to close out the win in regular frames. Junior starter Jefry Castro impressed for the Falcons, going 5 2/3 allowing just one run on four hits.
Fisher and USCB will take to the diamond again Sunday, February 24th for a doubleheader beginning at 12:00pm.