JV Baseball Update
May 9, 2017
May 3rd – The Rams looked to rebound following a heartbreaking loss to New Providence in the rubber match against David Brearley. The Rams had shown two forms against Brearley. The first form was a team that made errors and was not sound on offense. The second form was a team that was sound on defense and dominant on offense. Against New Providence, the Rams suffered mid-game collapses on offense and defense. This was totally uncharacteristic of them. But, by the time the first pitch of the Brearley game was thrown, the Rams found their old selves again. They dominated Brearley in all innings thanks to great pitch selection and a numerous amount of hits. Some memorable hits were executed by James Kim, Mike Roper, Jack Sildat, Sean Carey, and Jack Reilly. The Rams continued their offensive momentum for the entire game by scoring 14 runs. The same was said for the pitching staff as Pat Tobin did not give an inch and only surrendered two earned runs in his five innings pitched. Jack Sildat then came in relief and shut Brearley down resulting in a 14-6 victory for Oratory meaning Oratory won the season series 2-1.
May 4th – The next game was another grudge match for the Rams. In their first game of the year, the Rams tied Rahway at home. This time, they knew that they could pull out the win. The offensive momentum continued from the Brearley game and the Rams put up 13 runs. This was thanks to dominant hitting and great pitch selection (again). Dan Guider, Liem Lynch, and Joe Meade each had two or more RBI’s and Jack Sildat, Sean Carey, and Mike Roper executed key RBI’s as well. The Rams were also dominant on the base paths thanks to great base running by Andy Portes and Jack Reilly. Besides being dominant on the offensive side of the ball, the Rams were just as dominant on the defensive side. Rams Pitcher Jack Reilly threw a complete game, surrendering only two runs. This resulted in a 13-2 victory for Oratory who won the season series vs Rahway.
May 6th – The Rams played the Union Catholic Vikings, a cross county rival; both side desperately wanted to win. The Rams quickly got to the Vikings’ starting pitcher in the bottom of the second inning thanks to a double by Dan Guider. After a few walks and fielder’s choices, the Rams led 2-0. The Rams needed a solid performance from their starting pitcher and they got that from pitcher Jack Sildat who only surrendered one run in six innings. The Rams were not as dominant on offense as the Vikings had a solid pitching staff, but key plays were executed at the right times. Mike Roper executed a squeeze bunt and Sean Carey, who has been on fire at the plate, had a key triple. Dan Guider also had a sac fly scoring James Kim in a true ‘hustle baseball’ play. The Rams took a 5-1 lead into the top of the seventh inning and reliever Ben Landis who had also made some key plays at catcher in the game shut down the Vikings resulting in a 5-2 victory for the Rams.
The Rams and Coach Mr. Maybe are on a three game win streak and are on fire as of late. Their record currently stands at 6-2-1. They look to take their momentum and continue to dominate in their final games of the season.
Image Credit: http://www.history.com/news/ask-history/who-invented-baseball