The wait is over. South Whidbey won its first game of the season for the first time in years, a 2-1 home victory against Sultan.

“It was really a game of small ball,” said Falcon head coach Tom Fallon.

South Whidbey tallied five singles, a couple of walks and a pair of sacrifice bunts. Not a plethora of base runners, but strung together at the right time.

In the third inning, CJ Sutfin opened the order with a walk. He advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by the Falcons’ slugger, senior Evan Piehler. A single by senior Aaron Curfman moved Sutfin to third. Curfman stole second base, and Sutfin scored on the play.

“There’s something about this group of kids,” Fallon said. “Nobody cares who the hero is.”

Spirits were high when South Whidbey stepped to the plate because of a spectacular defensive play at the top of the third. Sultan put two runners on base, but shortstop Colton Sterba ended the would-be rally with a leaping catch to snag a line drive that turned into a double play at first base.

“Colton played an absolutely stellar shortstop for us,” Fallon said.

The Falcons’ second run came in the fourth inning. Senior Jack Lewis hit a single and advanced to second base on a passed ball. Mo Hamsa, a sophomore, hit a fielder’s choice grounder that moved Lewis to third. A single to right field by Jake Sladky brought Lewis home.

South Whidbey faced one of the top pitchers in the Cascade Conference, according to Fallon. Sultan’s Jake Leverett pitched the whole seven innings.

Lewis notched the win on the mound, allowing two hits and no runs for the first three innings. Sutfin relieved him in the fourth and allowed four hits and Sultan’s only score. Sterba earned the save in the seventh inning.