The Rams improved to 1-1 on the young season with a 9-3 victory Saturday afternoon in the second game of a three-game series against the Braves of UNC Pembroke (1-1).
In Friday’s game, the Rams shot themselves in the foot too many times in the first inning, falling behind 4-0. Saturday’s game was a complete reversal, outscoring the Braves 5-0.
Senior outfielder Ron Farley of the Rams started the scoring with his much-needed two-run homerun to left field that brought in senior second baseman Jacob Carney.
Not long after, junior designated hitter Daniel Heleine brought home teammates Mike Brown, senior first baseman, and Chase Hoffman, junior third baseman, with his three-run shot to center field that gave the Rams an even bigger lead early on. After one inning of play, the Rams were up 5-0.
In the second inning, catcher Alex Simpson of the Braves singled to left center, bringing in outfielder/infielder Nick Debo.
The Rams responded in the third inning with another long ball by senior catcher Tyler Thomas that brought in Hoffman, who scored his second run of the day on the play.
Senior infielder Jacob Carney of the Rams scored off a wild pitch in the fourth inning that increased the scoring margin in favor of the Rams, by a score of 9-1.
In the fifth inning, starting pitcher John Bentley of the Rams, a senior, allowed two runs on a single by infielder Drew Beaver of the Braves that brought in infielder/pitcher River Ryan and on a fielder’s choice to make the score 9-3 in favor of the Rams.
Overall though, he largely kept the Braves’ bats in check with his play. He went eight innings, struck out seven, walked one, and allowed three runs (two of them earned) on nine hits.
Bentley did allow a fair amount of runners to get on base, but more times than not he did not let them reach home. This is also a testament to the defensive fielding of his teammates.
Brown and senior outfielder JJ Sarty both recorded two hits to lead help lead the Rams to victory.
For the Braves, their bright spots were Debo and Beaver, who went 3-for-3 and 3-for-4 at the plate, respectively.
Coach Matt McCarty of the Rams explained afterwards, through email, how his team turned around their play from Friday’s 12-1 loss:
“The key difference from yesterday to today was we limited free bases as a pitching staff and defense. Still not perfect but an improvement. Our approach changed offensively today. Today we got back to our normal selves and attacked in our counts. Swung with a purpose. Have to limit strikeouts but today when we put the ball in play it was with authority,” he said.
McCarty also commented on which players’ performances stood out to him:
“A few players that stood out today were John Bentley. He pitched a great game and competed his butt off. Gave us a chance to win. Ron Farley, Tyler Thomas and Daniel Heleine had big two out homeruns for us early in the game to get us out to a big lead.”
Sunday at 1 p.m., these two teams will battle it out for the series win.
Anthony Bracken is the Sports Editor of The Picket. He can be reached at abrack02@rams.shepherd.edu