Collin Fabio started the 2021 campaign off with a bang, plating four including a three-run home run in the fifth inning.  The senior did his damage early, but it was Devin Ferrari who was the hero late.  Tied in the 10^th, Ferrari's hot smash to third plated the winning run over Texas A&M International, getting the opening day win 6-5.
 
Runs were tough to come by for either side early on.  Jonathan Rice was in a grove early, striking out six before departing after 6.2 innings.  On the other side the Falcon bats struggled to get going until the fifth.  Back-to-back one-out singles by Michael Clapperton and Pemron Burrows brought Fabio to the plate.  He worked the count full before driving the ball the opposite way for the three-run home run.
 
The rally didn't end there, as the Falcons loaded the bases and with two outs Jay Desoto was plunked bringing home another run.  The Dustdevils got a run back with a homer of their own to lead off the sixth.  The Falcons added a big insurance run in the eighth.  With Clapperton on second, Fabio doubled to left to bring him around and take a 5-1 lead.  The bullpen couldn't hold the lead, as the Dustdevils scored four times in the ninth to force extra innings.
 
The Falcons threatened in their half of the ninth, loading the bases with only one out but couldn't push a run across.  Trey Penny worked a 1-2-3 10^th, before the Falcons rallied again.  Burrows worked a lead-off walk and reached base for the fourth time on the afternoon.  Fabio followed with a single to put a runner in scoring position.  Garrett Thornton bunted the runners over forcing an intentional walk to Andrew Williams to bring up Ferrari.  On the first pitch, he hit a hard ground ball off the glove of the third baseman to bring home Burrows and the 6-5 victory.
 
Rice was brilliant in his Falcon debut on the mound, striking out six and only allowing five hits.  Penny earned the win allowing one hit in 1.1 innings.
 
Burrows was a menace at the top of the order on Friday.  The senior went 2-for-2 with two runs scored, two walks, two stolen bases, and was hit by a pitch.  Right behind him in the two-hole was Fabio who was 3-for-6 with four RBI, the home run, and a double.  Clapperton finished with a pair of hits as well.  Eight Falcons recorded a hit, including Williams who doubled in his lone at bat off the bench.
 
These teams go right back at it tomorrow, with first pitch from Roden Field scheduled for 2 p.m.