By John Cackowski
State Director

Littleton - The Continental League opened up league play on Monday in what will for sure be the start of all 11 teams beating up on each other over the next couple of weeks. The Eagles have enough talent and experience in 2016 to where they could find themselves as the last team standing.

The Eagles (8-2 Overall) came back from an early deficit to beat the Falcons (4-5 Overall) to open their Continental League season. The Falcons came out strong in the top of the first getting solo shot from 2016 SS Aaron Dammel (Metropolitan State), and then the Falcons tacked on another run in the 2nd to go up 2-0.

Falcons 2017 RHP Payton McFadden looked good out of the gates with a quick first inning keeping the Eagles hitters off balanced. In the bottom of the 2nd the Eagles took advantage of two errors by the Falcons in the outfield and took a 4-2 lead. The Falcons would get those runs back in the top of the 3rd tying the game 4-4.

The game would stay tied until the bottom of the 4th when the Eagles would break the game open. With the bases load 2016 SS Billy Moreland (University of Northern Colorado) laced a hard double down the left field line which would drive in 2 runs, and in the top of the 5th 2018 C Casey Opitz would add a 2-run single increasing the Eagles lead to 10-4. Opitz would go 4 for 5 on the day with 2 RBI's.

The Falcons would rally, and in the top of the 7th the Falcons would get a a 2-run homerun byt 2018 OF Jordan Medina cutting the lead to 10-7. The Falcons would load the bases again in the 7th. Coach Scott Horman would go to his senior shortstop Moreland to put an end to it. Moreland would strikeout out 2016 3B Michael Forlenza to end the game with the bases loaded and 2-outs. "We don't win that game last year," stated Horman. "We feel the experience we have gained with this group over the last two years will be the X-Factor for us this year and help us get out of tough situations like the 7th and turn them into wins this year instead of giving games away."

2017 RHP James Kester pitched an excellent game for the Eagles going 6 innings scattering 8 hits and striking out 8

2016 OF Owen Reynolds (Lamar CC) also had a big day for the Eagles going 3 for 4 scoring 2 runs and driving in 2

For the Falcons Aaron Dammel had a 4 for 4 day which included a homerun and deep double to right center.

The Heritage Eagles will be at Rock Canyon on Wednesday April 13th. The Highlands Ranch Falcons have a BYE and will host the Regis Jesuits on 4-15-16.