~by Joseph Beaudet, Scranton Journal intern
Ram baseball was able to put together their first win of the season, a 13-2 rout of Heart of Iowa foes the South Hamilton Hawks, on Thursday, July 2.
On the mound, sophomore Bryce Stalder had a complete, six-inning game. Stalder allowed just one earned run and one unearned run. He gave up just three hits while walking two batters, hitting another and striking out five more. Stalder was able to turn in what is likely his best performance of the season to date.
At the plate, the Rams had what was far and away their best performance of the season. As a team, they collected nine hits off of seven singles and two doubles while earning 10 walks, getting hit by two pitches and reaching base on an error once. Sophomore Joe Carey led the way for the Rams with two hits, both singles, and an RBI. Seniors Brent Riley and Nick Breon drove in three and four runs, respectively, while each collecting one hit with Riley’s double and Breon’s single. Stalder was able to get the Rams’ second double of the game and was walked three times. Tyler Teeples and Carey were able to score two and three runs, respectively, while Teeples earned three walks.
Every Rams starter reached base at least one time and all but one starter collected a hit. From top-to-bottom, this was the Rams’ best game of the season.
In the field, the Rams committed just two errors, one each for the infield and outfield.
The Rams got off to a slow start in this game and trailed 1-0 after two innings. The top of the third though is where the team turned things on. Scoring three runs in the top of the third, the Rams never looked back and led for the remainder of the game despite the Hawks scoring in the bottom half of that inning. The Rams followed up a strong third inning by scoring four runs in the top of the fourth inning, one run in the top of the fifth inning and five runs in the top of the sixth inning. The Rams won this game by way of Mercy Rule and a final score of 13-2 after six innings.
The Rams will now begin to search for their second win of the season at home against a strong Gilbert Tigers team on Friday, July 3.
