The Valle Catholic Warriors kicked off the season in style on Monday with a convincing 12-2 win over the DeSoto Dragons. There’s nothing like opening the year with a victory, and this should be one of many for a Warriors club that won 25 of them in 2022.
The bitter taste has likely dissipated from last season’s early exit in the District Tournament, but this opening win had to sweeten things a little bit regardless. Valle came out firing in this one, and used a six-run first to take a lead they would never relinquish.
Grant Fallert got the start and spun three and a third innings of two-run ball to earn the victory. He allowed just three hits and a walk and fanned an impressive six batters.
His bats backed him up in spades as well. The Warriors tacked on a run in the second and three more in the third before adding a pair in the fifth to trigger the mercy rule. Because they were the home team, those two runs walked it off for Valle and clinched that ever-important first victory.
The Warriors used six extra-base hits to do most of the damage in this one and had five players with multi-hit performances.
Catcher Alex Viox was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI and, while his twin brother Issac Viox went 2-for-4 with a triple, two runs scored, two RBI and a stolen base. Chase Fallert was the hit leader with a 3-for-3 performance, scored a pair of runs and also swiped a bag.
Carson Tucker went 2-for-4 with a double and a pair of RBI, and G. Fallert was 2-for-3 at the dish with an RBI and a couple of runs scored to compliment his performance on the mound.
Cannon Wolk came on in relief and closed out the game with an inning and 2/3 of one-hit ball. He walked three, but was able to fan a pair and close the door permanently.
The Warriors played stellar defense, allowing just one error, and racked up 15 total hits while striking out just four times. They will look to build a winning streak this week as they take on Herculaneum, Jefferson R7, Oran and Ellington in what appears to be a busy slate.
