White Knoll designated hitter Carl Wise awaits a pitch as A.C. Flora’s David Houser catches during the first inning of Tuesday’s game against A.C. Flora in the Forest Acres Classic. Over the years, A.C. Flora High School baseball fans have grown accustomed to hearing the sharp ping of aluminum striking the ball during the Forest Acres Classic.

They are not nearly as used to hearing a sharp ping from balls hitting the outfield wall – especially by a Falcons foe.

Yet, that sound was heard all too frequently Tuesday night in the nightcap of the tournament’s first day. White Knoll (14–1), ranked third in Class 4A, turned what promised to be a showdown against the Falcons into batting practice during an 18–8 victory, shortened to five innings by the 10–run rule.

“We couldn’t miss a barrel,” A.C. Flora coach Andy Hallett said. “Didn’t matter what we threw: change, curve or fastball; or where: high, low, inside or outside; they hit it.”

The Timberwolves set the tone from the start lining back–to–back doubles to cap a three–run first.

White Knoll teed off on three A.C. Flora pitchers in an 11–run third inning. The Timberwolves sent 16 batters to the plate, which included 11 before the first out was recorded. They drilled nine hits including five doubles and two home runs.

“I said before the tour- nament that White Knoll is one of the best teams in the state,” Hallett said. “I coach half those kids during the summer, so I know well what they can do. I’m proud of my guys because they kept fighting. We forced them to go to the bullpen in a 16–4 game. We almost forced them to play another inning.”

After three–and–a–half innings, White Knoll led 16–3, but A.C. Flora (10–6) pushed across three runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth. The ninth run, which would have forced the sixth inning, was stranded at third.

The game marked the return of A.C. Flora starting pitcher Russell Gahagan, who missed most of the past month due to illness. However, the Falcons might have lost leadoff hitter Aaron Poole who was injured while stealing third in the first inning and had to be helped off the field.

Ray Murphy led White Knoll with three hits including a three–run home run and two doubles. He drove in four and scored three runs. Robbie Street also hit a three–run homer.

Connor Lewis led Flora with two hits including a two–run homer.