Despite ending, Flames turn in a season filled with great memories
The Faith Academy of Marble Falls baseball team’s season ended in a 16-5 loss to Halletsville Sacred Heart in the Class 2A playoffs May 5.
The loss, however, doesn’t take away from an impressive season where the Flames (8-3, 6-0) went undefeated in district play en route to winning the title.
“They never gave up,” head coach Zakk Revelle said. “They were always encouraging each other. The summary of our season starts with the seniors and what they wanted to do, which was to win a district championship. And then credit also goes to assistant coaches Aaron Mittelstaedt and Ryan Smith. (The players) trusted. They trusted each other and they trusted their coaches. If you don’t trust the people around you, you’re not going to get a shot. I’m very thankful to them for giving me a shot.”
Revelle commended Sacred Heart, noting it was a top 10 team in the state and hails from a district that had two other squads also ranked in the top 10.
“Really big kudos to Sacred Heart,” he said. “I would say that district is the best in the state.”
Faith committed only one error in the contest that resulted in a run, which illustrates just how good Sacred Heart played, Revelle said.
“They hit the ball really well,” he said. “Really, they had one really good hitting inning. They kept hitting it to where we weren’t. They could hit. I don’t think they had a weak spot in the lineup. We played a clean game with the exception of that one inning.”
Sacred Heart could have scored more runs in other innings had the Flames not gotten some outstanding defense. Cross Sanchez had a diving catch in left field, while sophomore pitcher Kade Shaw caught a bunt that was hit high.
“Kade dove for it, caught it, then threw to first base for a double play to end the inning,” the coach said. “Dylan Offutt made a spectacular play in the infield. We also made routine plays, so I was really proud of them. They did well behind our pitchers, Kade and Justin Mottle. There’s a flow in every game where players have to make plays.”
Faith trailed 6-0 going into the bottom of the second inning. The Flames were awarded bases on two walks and a hit by pitch that set up Mottle. He hit a 2 RBI double off the left field wall. By the end of the inning, Faith trailed 6-4.
“We were right there with them,” Revelle said. “The top of the next inning, they scored two runs with two outs. It’s hard to play defense when they hit the ball that hard and that well.”
Then Sacred Heart simply continued to plate runs.
As he reflected on the importance of the 2022 class to the diamond, the coach drew a conclusion.
“Faith Academy how has a baseball program,” he said. “Before we had a baseball team. The future is very bright, and I look forward to being apart of it.”
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