Losing game two of a home double-header, the Rams (1-9) lost to the Marauders (10-3) of Millersville by a 13-4 score.
Many factors decided this game, but the chief ones were the pitching and fielding the Rams displayed. In the second inning, three Rams had an opportunity to catch a pop fly and dropped it. Whether it was a miscommunication or losing the ball in the sun, this would be a sign of things to come for the Rams in this contest.
Capitalizing off of the error, outfielder Cole Friese scored the game’s first run on a passed ball.
Outfielder Dan Neff would add on to the Rams’ early misery with an RBI single that infielder Grayson Miller converted into a run. Outfielder Chas McCormick added on another run with his RBI single that brought in second baseman Ted Williams.
Already with a 3-0 lead in the third inning, third baseman Jimmy Cain doubled to right field, sending home infielder David Summerfield. Cain reached home plate thanks to an RBI single by outfielder Manning Brookens.
Brookens scored the third run of the inning after Neff got to first base after an error by the Rams’ shortstop.
Up 6-0 at this juncture, the Marauders appeared to have this game well in hand.
That is until the Rams’ bats woke up. Junior infielder/outfielder Chase Hoffman drove home two Rams with a single in the bottom of the third inning.
Sophomore infielder Brian McCourt kept the momentum alive with his single through the right side that senior outfielder Ron Farley converted into the Rams’ third run of the inning.
The Rams would go on to leave the bases loaded in the inning, but as it turns out, it would not have mattered.
Committing four errors on the afternoon, including many fielding mistakes, the Rams made too many mistakes for a good offensive team such as the Marauders.
This was exemplified when the Rams hit McCorkmick in the sixth inning with the bases loaded that let Friese score in easy fashion. Already with a 10-3 lead, catcher Mitch Stoltzfus blasted home a double that gave the Marauders two more runs and a 12-3 lead.
Mistakes occurred early and often for the Rams on the afternoon, as the Marauders finished with 13 runs on 16 hits.
Sophomore starting pitcher AJ Stead (0-3) took the loss for the Rams. Going just three innings, he gave up six runs (two of them earned) on eight hits, walked one, and struck out one. He got the Marauders into numerous groundout opportunities, but a late throw or fielding mistake often times ensued.
Tyler Yankosky (1-0) took home the win for the Marauders. He pitched four innings, gave up three runs (two of them earned), walked four, and struck out one.
The Rams will look for revenge when they travel to Millersville Sunday afternoon for another double-header. Game one starts at 12:00 p.m., while game two commences at 2:30 p.m.
Anthony Bracken is the Sports Editor of The Picket. He can be reached at abrack02@rams.shepherd.edu
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