Falcon baseball seeks balance (PHOTOS)

PARKERSBURG – This summer brings a different look to the Aplington-Parkersburg baseball team from the diamond to the dugout.

The goal remains the same for the seniors who were part of A-P's run to the substate final last season, but they've been challenged to help bring in an influx of younger players necessitated by preseason roster changes.

The Falcons remain a work in progress after a difficult end to a 4-1 defeat against Hampton-Dumont-CAL on Thursday, with the final out coming on a rundown between third base and home plate as A-P (2-6) was attempting a rally.

First-year head coach Brett Kleespies wants to make sure the seniors and a decent-sized junior class are doing their part to bring along the younger guys, with eighth-grader Garrett Hempen starting at second base and freshmen Parker Luscomb and Kale Riherd getting playing time in Thursday's game.

"These guys that were at substate last year, we've got to have communicating with the younger guys," Kleespies said. "The younger guys need to step up and have that good approach, too."

Kolbi Rice led the Falcons with a 3-for-3 performance at the plate and drove in the Falcons' only run on Thursday in the bottom of the second, driving in Aaron Price. Rice also pitched five innings of relief, allowing one earned run on three hits with seven strikeouts.

Summer sports (June 4-10, 2019): Order prints of these photos

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