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Falcons open tonight

The Connecticut Falcons will begin their defense of the WPS title tonight when the two-time champions take on the Buffalo Bisons in a 7:15 p.m. doubleheader.

Kathy Neal will take the mound in the opener while Joan Joyce will twirl the night cap for the Falcons, who finished last season with a 51-30 record and won their second straight World Series by defeating the now defunct Santa Ana Lionettes 3-1 in the best-of-five event.

The games will be preceded by opening game ceremonies at 7 p.m. Professional golfer Jane Blalock and other members of the LPGA tour will be on hand for the ceremonies, during which Meriden Mayor Walter Evilia will throw at the first pitch.

The Falcons have a tough assignment, however. The Bisons were the only team to break even with the Falcons last year, splitting the 24 games played, and they have strengthened their lineup by picking up pitcher Charlotte Graham, second baseman Rosie Adams and outfielder Mickey Davis from the Lionettes in the dispersal draft. Both clubs trail the St. Louis Hummers, who took seven of eight games from the San Jose Sunbirds already this season, by three games.

The Falcons will start Joyce Compton at first base, Willie Roze at second, Karen Gallaher at shortstop, Linda McMorran at third and Rayla Jo Allison behind the plate. The outfield will consist of Kathy Stilwell in left, Snooki Mulder in center and Audi Kujala in right.

The Falcons, who held an intrasquad scrimmage Thursday night, will be led offensively by Stilwell and Compton, who led the league in triples and runs batted in, respectively. Stilwell was also the club’s top hitter last year with a .352 average.

Three players will not be with the Falcons for the season opener. They are pitchers Donna Terry and Margaret Rebenar and outfielder Lu Gecewicz.

To read more articles about the Falcon’s regular season, click here.