Rams Continue to Roll

By Editor | April 11, 2024

by Sara Smith

When the Rams dropped their first three games of the season, it would have been easy for the players to get down and give up. Fortunately, that is not what they did. After notching their first win of the season versus the Scotland County Tigers on March 25th, they have now rattled off five straight wins.

The Rams were set to play against the Harrisburg Bulldogs on Monday, April 1st, but in typical April Fools fashion, just kidding-the game was postponed due to rainy weather conditions in both locations. The game has been rescheduled for April 10th at Harrisburg.

Tuesday, April 2 @ North Shelby Raiders

Tuesday, April 2nd the Rams were scheduled to play the 1-1 Raiders at North Shelby, however, the weather had produced unfavorable field conditions at Shelbyville, so the game was moved to the turf field at Queen City. While the Rams were the visitors on the scoreboard, they seemed right at home at the plate. This game turned into a scorefest as the Rams racked up 22 runs on 12 hits.

As the visitors, the Rams jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first, scoring five runs. The second inning continued along that same vein as three more runs crossed the plate for the Rams, extending their lead to 8-0. Lathan Martin accounted for two of those runs with a home run to left field.

In the top of the third, the Rams scored six more runs on two more hits. The North Shelby Raiders scored their one and only run in the bottom of the third, making the score 14-1. The Rams were two runs shy of being able to close the game with the 15-after-three run rule, and the game continued on.

The Rams failed to score in the top of the fourth, but set their bats on fire in the top of the fifth, scoring eight runs on six hits. After holding the Raiders scoreless in the bottom of the fifth, the Rams ended the game with a 21-point advantage, 22-1.

From the hill, Gage Brownell earned the win for the Rams, he pitched three innings, and faced 14 batters. He allowed only two hits and one run (zero earned), striking out six and walking two. Kale Windy came in to close out the game, throwing two shutout innings. Windy, and the Ram fielders, sat down all six batters that he faced. He struck out two batters, one in each inning pitched. For the final out of the game, Windy caught the batter looking with his deuce.

The Raiders had opportunities early in the game and were not able to capitalize on them. In the bottom of the first, the Raiders had two runners in scoring position. Brownell was able to end the inning without allowing any runs thanks to solid play by the fielders, including a routine fly ball to center fielder Eddie Berry. In the bottom of the second inning, Brownell, and the Rams, found themselves in the same position, as the Raiders once again had two runners in scoring position. This time, Brownell was able to pitch his way out of this pickle by serving up two strikeouts. The first batter went down swinging, but the second one watched Brownell’s heater go by for strike three.

Overall, the Rams performed well on defense, with 15 putouts in 19 total chances, and only one error.

Kale Windy and Brownell also lead the Rams at the plate. Windy had three hits in four at-bats, and he crossed the plate four times during the game. Brownell had two hits in four at-bats, with three RBIs added on to his three runs scored. Cohan Meade, Martin, Collin Oliver, and Connor Smith all had three RBIs each. Brody Weaver and Mason Windy both had two RBIs.

The Raiders struggled from the mound, giving up eight walks and hitting four batters. They also had difficulties in the field, resulting in five fielding or throwing errors. The walks, hit batsmen, and the errors accounted for nine of the Rams’ runs. Some of this can be attributed to the fact that this was just the Raiders’ third game of the season. This really illustrates the benefit of the turf field. The Rams often play ball, or practice, when other teams can’t due to the rainy spring weather.

Thursday, April 4 vs. Fayette Falcons (0-6)

The Rams put together another strong performance versus the Fayette Falcons on Thursday, April 4th. The Falcons came into the game reeling with an 0-6 record, while the Rams were on a 4-game winning streak.

Connor Smith made his fourth start of the season on the mound for the Rams. He pitched the entire game, five scoreless innings, serving up a scant 50 pitches. Smith faced 16 batters, allowing only two hits, striking out three. Smith was helped out by the adept play of the errorless field behind him. Including a double play generated by Gage Brownell, Mason Windy, and Cohan Meade to finish the top of the second inning.

The Rams followed up the double play by opening up the scoring in the bottom of that same inning, scoring two runs on three hits, 2-0. In the bottom of the third, the Rams added three more runs, this time on three hits and an error, extending their lead to 5-0. Then, in the bottom of the fourth, the Rams tacked on another four runs, once again, off of three hits and an error, stretching the lead to 9-0.

Elliott Sevits put on a hitting clinic for the Rams, collecting a hit with each plate appearance, as he went 4-for-4. He singled in the first, third, and fourth innings. In the bottom of the fifth, Sevits demonstrated his switch hitting ability with a triple batting lefty. This put Sevits in scoring position and set the stage for another walk-off victory. Stepping up to the plate, and proving up to the task, Smith singled to center field, allowing Sevits to cross the plate for the final run of the game. The 10-after-five run rule ended the game, and Smith had his second walk-off hit of the season.

Collin Oliver and Brody Weaver also had strong performances at the plate, both going two for three. Oliver had a double and a single with one RBI. Weaver had two singles. Brownell, Lathan Martin, and Mason Windy all dished out one hit apiece as well. Martin tallied two RBIs and Mason Windy had one.

The 22-1 win over the Raiders and the 10-0 victory versus the Falcons moves the Rams record into the black at 5-3. In his pre-season interview, Coach Moncrief talked about his players “getting over the hump” and “gaining confidence” at the plate. The past five wins lend credence to his belief in their abilities.