PEMBERVILLE, Ohio — Two and a half weeks ago, Eastwood outfielder Brandon Falls sat on track to finish his high school career in impressive fashion.
The senior led the Eagles in batting average (.484.) and RBI (16). However, his impact took a brutal hit during a game on April 18.
"I felt extremely blessed to be back with my guys," Falls said.
Throughout the season, leadership has served as a primary tool for the Eastwood captain. But that influence nearly came to an abrupt end in one play.
Ranked No. 1 in the state of Ohio for Division III, Eastwood matched up with sixth-ranked Lake in Millbury for a Northern Buckeye Conference showdown. With the Eagles leading 4-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning, the leadoff hitter connected on a pitch that traveled to left center field.
Falls began chasing after the ball and unfortunately changed the outlook on his season.
"We both went up for a ball in the seventh inning and just so happened to collide," Falls said. "Next thing I know I'm on the ground with a broken arm."
Unable to remember anything after the contact, both he and his teammate were transported to a nearby hospital. Given the brutality of the play, neither team chose to continue the game as the focus remained on each student-athlete.
Once Falls woke up, doctors told him that he would need 13 screws and two plates put in after breaking both bones in his left forearm. Worst of all, the sport he loved also got taken away.
"Even more than me not being able to play is not stepping on the field with my guys," Falls said. "That hurts the most."
Fortunately, his injury didn't prevent him from a quick return to the team. Following successful surgery on May 1, which requires a 3-month recovery period, Falls has found a new way to score for his guys.
"I've realized how much this team relies on me and my leadership as a captain," Falls said. "It's still good to have a role."
Replacing his talent on the field was not an easy task for head coach Kevin Leady, but simply having him back in the dugout and healthy is a win every single day.
"It's uplifting for our kids, that was a pretty tough moment," Leady said. "Him being around is huge for us because he's one of our leaders, we named him captain and he's one of our energy guys. We need that."
On top of Falls' improved health, teammate Brock Messinger has yet to miss a game. The junior outfielder got cleared to return to action despite being on the other end of the collision.
"When I was in my hospital bed, Brock came over to see me and made me feel good that he was up," Falls said. "It's brought me and Brock really close and it's a blessing that we're both up."
No student-athlete ever wants to see their senior year get cut short. Through a team-first mentality and high-level character, Falls remains eager to finish 2024 even if it's in a dugout.
Regardless of the role he plays moving forward, this unforeseen moment has reinforced the fact that Falls is not alone.
"I couldn't even keep up with the text messages, the calls, the emails. It was hundreds, even the next day it was crazy," Leady said. "The support was incredible. To know there's life bigger than baseball in that moment matters."
Multiple high school teams across the area, who heard about this scary incident, showcased support for Eastwood's program. That included NBC-rival Lake and even members of the Whitmer softball team.
"It's more than just sports, everybody here has a love for each other," Falls said. "There's a respect amongst all the teams even outside the NBC. It really means a lot to me that sports is that much of a family."
Each member of the Eastwood baseball team has written a No. 5 on their hats to honor Falls for the rest of the season. He's also been put in charge of the scoring chain which he places on the player who scores the first run of an inning for the Eagles.
Pending the health of his arm, Falls hopes to play for Eastwood's Legion team this summer.