Leeds Green Waves rolls on

Published 1:30 pm Thursday, April 22, 2010

The fourth-ranked Leeds Green Wave advanced to the second round of the Class 3A state baseball playoffs on Friday with two wins against the Glencoe Yellow Jackets. 

The team will host White Plains at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Friday, and at 2 p.m. Saturday, if needed. 

Bolstered by an eight-run third inning, Leeds won the first of Friday’s playoff games, 12-4.  The runs came on seven hits from batters Jesse Turner, Vic Watts, Bradley Chasteen, Daniel Falkner, Josh Pearson, Dylan Young, and Rie Falletta. 

Falkner was the winning pitcher, relieved by Falletta late in the seventh inning.

Chasteen was the second game’s winning pitcher, celebrating his 18th birthday with a 3-2 win in a defensive struggle.  “It was a great birthday gift,” he said after the game.

The Green Wave had taken a 3-1 lead in the third inning, but Glencoe had pulled to within a run by the start of the seventh.  The final batter for the Yellow jackets, who had earlier scored their second run, hit a fly ball to Falkner in centerfield for the final out.

“It was awesome to catch that ball,” Falkner said.  “They were still in the fight, and they still had a chance.  It was a relief when I knew that ball was in my glove.  We wanted this game, and we all kept giving it everything we had.”

Green Wave seniors will be recognized during opening ceremonies of Friday’s games.  Graduating from the team this year will be Falkner, (P/CF), Pearson (RF), Rush Perkins (P), Watts (3B, LF), and Young (C).