St. Joseph by the Sea’s Chris Falcone gave up one run on four hits with nine strikeouts. (William Thomas)
Chris Falcone walked into practice hobbled three weeks ago with back spasms. The collective hearts of his St. Joseph by the Sea coaches and teammates sunk.
“He was crippled,” Vikings coach Gordon Rugg said. “He couldn’t walk.”
The star left-hander went to four different physical therapists and chiropractors hoping to hear good news. Some told him he’d be fine in a week; others said longer.
Nothing was going to keep Falcone off the mound with his team facing elimination, though.
He preserved the season Tuesday in a gem against Monsignor Farrell and Sunday he was brilliant again, giving up one run on four hits with nine strikeouts in seven innings to lead No. 5 Sea to a 5-1 win over No. 7 Archbishop Molloy in a CHSAA Class AA baseball championship round elimination game at St. John’s University.
“When I go to push off, that’s when the pain starts,” Falcone said. “And when I lift my back leg, the pain really comes in.”
The Felician-bound senior gave up just one hit over the final five innings despite what he described as increasing discomfort. The only run he gave up came in the first inning.
“He’s been carrying us all season,” Sea second baseman Matt Bowers said. “He’s the best pitcher in the city.”
It was Bowers who broke a 1-all tie in the fifth inning with a well-struck double to center field. Joe Santigate followed with an RBI fielder’s choice and Sea (17-5) tacked on two more insurance runs on a Mike Leone two-run triple in the sixth off Jonathan Ramon, who gave up three earned runs on four hits and five walks for Molloy (15-9).
Rugg joked that it was the first big hit Bowers has gotten in four years on the varsity. In fact, just him and Falcone remain from the Vikings team that won the CHSAA Class AA intersectional title two years ago.
“That’s why the whole team looks up to us,” Bowers said. “We’re the only ones with a ring.”
The Vikings could have a chance for another one. They’ll meet Fordham Prep in yet another elimination game 6 p.m. Tuesday night back at St. John’s. Senior ace Brian Russell will be on the mound on three days rest, Sea’s eighth game in nine days. After beating Farrell in a best-of-three series, the Vikings fell to Fordham Prep in their championship round opener and had to get by All Hallows and St. Raymond in elimination games before Sunday.
Meanwhile, the season comes to an end for Molloy (15-9) after a surprising run, which included the elimination of defending champion Xaverian on Friday.
Falcone was the reason for the Stanners’ demise Sunday despite his back difficulties. Doctors told him that it’ll go away eventually, he just has to wait it out. That hasn’t always been easy.
“Sometimes I can’t get out of bed,” Falcone said.
The left-hander with the knee-buckling curve will be set up to pitch Friday in the finals, given Sea beats Fordham Prep on Tuesday. Once a game-time decision last week against Farrell, there’s little doubting that Falcone will try to gut out at least one more start with a championship on the line.
“He’s a really tough kid,” Rugg said.