The Falcon baseball team lost 1-0 in its season opener to the Cedarcrest Red Wolves.

Pitching and defense dominated the game. Falcon sophomore Jack Lewis started on the mound for the Falcons and pitched through five innings.

The lone score of the game came in the fifth inning as the Red Wolves had back-to-back hits to lead off the inning along with a stolen base in between which led to the run.

Defensively, outstanding performances for South Whidbey were turned in by Riley Newman and Zeke Spalding in the infield, and Austin Bennett and Mike Agate in the outfield. Bennett made a diving catch.

Cedarcrest is projected to be one of the strongest teams in the league and state.

Cedarcrest’s hitting battered the Falcons in the second game of the doubleheader. The Red Wolves won 11-2.

The game remained close through four innings, with Cedarcrest ahead 2-1. The Falcons youth was served notice by the Red Wolves. Newman started his first game pitching for the Falcons and completed four innings.

The Falcons scored first in the game in the first inning, as Agate led the game off with a walk. Agate promptly stole second base, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a wild pitch. The Red Wolves scored two runs in the first inning on three straight hits — the third being a two-run single.

Trailing 5-1 in the sixth inning, the Falcons picked up their second score when Agate had his second lead-off walk of the game and again came home without the aid of a hit. Agate had the only Falcon hits for the day, picking up one hit in each game.

The Falcons will face another top team in the Cascade Conference when they host the Lakewood Cougars at home next week.