Blair Oaks powers past Fatima

WARDSVILLE, Mo. — Home runs require power from the hitter, but Cole Stockman of Blair Oaks must put a little extra into his home runs.

During the top of the seventh inning of Thursday’s game between Blair Oaks and Fatima, a double rainbow formed beyond the outfield fence, where Stockman had sent two baseballs earlier in the game.

“It was a good day,” Stockman said.

Indeed it was. The 5-0 victory for the Falcons against Fatima on Thursday was their sixth straight win.

“Our guys came out with a lot of energy,” Blair Oaks head coach Travis Henke said. “They’ve wanted to play Fatima. Fatima’s had our number the past few years and the guys were excited to come out and play.”

Stockman’s first homer was a two-run shot to left-center field in the fourth to knock in the first two runs of the game.

The second was a solo shot — also to left-center field — to lead off the bottom of the sixth to finish off the game’s scoring.

“That kind of snuck up on us,” Fatima head coach Scott Kilgore said. “We weren’t really expecting that, but it happens. It’s baseball, it’s the beauty of this game.”

Stockman struck out swinging to close out the first inning, but finished strong with the home runs.

“I had a bad first at-bat and I had to change a few things up,” Stockman said. “I shortened up, got a few good swings and a few runs scored.”

The five runs were more than enough support for Jason Rackers, who two-hit the Comets in a complete-game shutout.

“Jason had his best stuff (Thursday),” Henke said. “He threw the ball well, he commanded three pitches and he kept the offense off balance I guess I should say. And he worked the strike zone.”

Rackers struck out nine and walked two, including striking out the side in the seventh to strand a runner at first.

“Jason’s good, Jason’s good,” Kilgore said. “… We got a good look at him (Thursday). We know we’re going to see him again.”

It was the second straight day the Falcons defeated a district opponent. They shut out Eugene 4-0 on Wednesday.

“It’s nice to see the teams, which you want to come out and win and get a higher seed and know you’ll play them again,” Stockman said.

Despite only having two hits, Fatima did have chances to get on the scoreboard.

Leadoff hitter Tony Swarthout reached on an error to start the game and stole second base with one out, but a flyout and a groundout kept him from advancing further.

The Comets got runners at first and second in the third, but Rackers got out of it with a strikeout.

“He was dealing,” Kilgore said. “He was cutting us up, hitting his spots and we knew he was going to do that.”

Rackers ended the sixth with a strikeout, stranding Will Robertson at third base.

“It was a good preview and we know what to expect now,” Kilgore said. “We know what level he’s at.”

Fatima starting pitcher Brady Weavers went all six innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five.

Ryan Paschal and Stockman had four of Blair Oaks’ seven hits from the third and fourth spots in the lineup, respectively.

The Falcons tacked on two runs in the fifth inning on zero hits, a walk, a hit batter and an error.

With runners at first and second, Adam Schell laid down a bunt and reached first on a wide throw, allowing Mason Gipe to score and Frankie Falotico to advance to third.

“They scored on that, the rest they earned,” Kilgore said. “They swung the bat well. … You’ve got to really hand it to them.”

Falotico scored on a 1-4-3 double play to make it 4-0 Falcons.

Blair Oaks’ (12-4) next game is Monday against Hallsville.

Fatima (8-7) has a quick turnaround with a home game today against Hickman and a road game Saturday at St. Francis Borgia.

“There’s a knot in your stomach after this game because you know you want it bad, because you know that’s your biggest rivalry,” Kilgore said, “but you can’t let that effect the rest of your week.”