By Erika Toman
The Falls Church Little League’s 10-11 age division All-Star team wrapped up their season with one win to their name, but their journey was filled with moments of resilience, skill, and determination that captivated fans throughout their campaign. Their season opener against Arlington National set the tone with an impressive 12-3 victory. Finn Thompson and Aidan Izawa led the offensive charge with three hits each, while Paul Thiede contributed two hits. Max Caddy, Franco Perez, Theo Jones, and Lucas Berthiaume added key hits to secure the win. On the mound, Will Schiffer struck out six batters, supported by Emmett Grenfell’s two strikeouts.
In their second game, the team faced Alexandria in a closely contested match that saw FC Blue narrowly edged out 8-6. Izawa started strong as pitcher, holding the opponents scoreless over three innings. Logan Pinkerton’s perfect batting record with three hits, alongside Jones’ two hits and contributions from Thompson, Caddy, and Perez, highlighted a valiant effort in the game.
The third game turned into a thrilling pitchers’ duel, with a scoreless deadlock until extra innings. Despite a strong defensive effort and no errors, Reston National managed to secure a 3-0 victory in the seventh inning. Schiffer’s stellar pitching performance, allowing only three runs over six innings, showcased the team’s tenacity under pressure.
Their final two games against Vienna America and McLean American were hard-fought battles that ended in 10-0 and 5-2 losses, respectively. Despite out-hitting their opponents in the game against McLean, including hits from Izawa, Jones, Thiede, Grenfell, and Schiffer, FC Blue faced tough opposition that ultimately decided the outcomes.
Looking ahead, the Falls Church Majors team prepares for their upcoming tournament play, set to begin this week. Their schedule includes matchups against McLean on Friday and Vienna next Monday, promising more thrilling baseball action for local fans. For more information on game locations and details, visit www.fckll.org.
