Tuesday, March 31, at Sanders Field, the Falcons honored seven seniors who have shaped the program over their four years, capping it off with a game that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
Seniors Carlton Walton, Hudson Zach, Matthew Guyton, Jack Harper, Tanner Nyveen, Austin Jones and Jackson Setrum were recognized before the game against the Tomball Kings, setting the stage for a great evening. Once the first pitch was thrown, the focus quickly shifted to the action on the field.
Right-hander Austin Jones got the start and delivered a quality outing, going four innings with only one earned run allowed, helping the Falcons take control early.
“After he allowed some hits in the first inning, he settled in and pitched well the rest of the way,” said Walton.
The Falcons extended the lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning thanks to their patient approach at the plate, drawing walks and forcing the Knights into making costly errors. The energy was high, and it looked like the home team was going to cruise to an easy win.
Junior Tripp Kneale relieved Jones and carried the Falcons into the top of the seventh with a 3–1 lead, but the game flipped when the Kings capitalized on two walks and blasted a three-run home run to take the lead.
“Watching that home run hurt a lot,” said Jones. We had been playing well all game, then they suddenly took the lead, and some doubt came in.”
Down to their final outs, the Falcons needed a spark and got one. Sophomore Drake Olson delivered with a hard single to left, putting the tying run on base and bringing the winning run to the plate. With two outs and a runner on first, senior third baseman Tanner Nyveen stepped in.
On a night dedicated to the seniors, Nyveen delivered the moment of the season. Down to his last strike in a 2–2 count, he got a fastball up in the zone and didn’t miss, sending it soaring over the left-field net and out of Sanders Field.
“I walked up, not thinking too much. I get to a two-strike count and hear ‘Louisiana Bayou’ because the fastball he threw was by me. I took offense to that and hit the next fastball he gave me. As soon as I hit it, I knew,” said Nyveen.
“That game was so cool to watch, and Tanner’s home run was an absolute no-doubter,” said senior Evan Rohde, who came to support on senior night.
As Nyveen rounded the bases, teammates stormed onto the field and mobbed him at home plate, sealing a poetic finish.
