"This was the best hitting game we've had this year -- or ever," said Coach Les Willson after the game. "You all showed a lot of discipline at the plate."
The game at Lakewood's Morse Park took place under cold and blustery skies. Lead-off hitter Staley hit a single to get things going for the team. Alex Haussmann drove him home off a hard hit ball to the opposing shortstop. Joe Anderson singled, followed by a double by Wyatt Featherston, and singles by Trevor Willson and Austin Jones. The Rams scored 4 runs off of 5 hits.
Featherston took the mound for the Rams in the first, but in the drizzling rain had trouble settling in. One outstanding defensive play came when catcher Joe Anderson tossed the ball to Featherston, who tagged a runner out at home plate. After the Tigers scored six runs, Featherston handed the ball to Colton Faubion. Faubion struck the next batter out. Two more runs scored before he secured the final out. Score: Rams 4, Tigers 8.
The Rams roared back at the top of the second, with a hard hit single by outfielder Garret Storm, and a monster hit up the middle by second baseman Arley Anderson. Next, Benjamin McHugh showed the power of his new bat as he blasted a double, driving in both Storm and Anderson. Haussmann followed with a single that drove in McHugh. Featherston singled scoring Haussmann, and Willson drew a walk. a |
At the bottom of the second inning, Faubion settled in to a nice pitching rhythm and struck out three of the next four Lakewood hitters. No runs were scored. Score: Rams 8, Tigers 8
At the top of the third, the Rams hitters simply overpowered the Tigers pitching staff. Jones began the onslaught with his second single of the game, followed by a hit by Ben Boyd. Arley Anderson and McHugh showed discipline at the plate and both drew walks. Haussmann drove in the base runners with a double to left field. Joe Anderson drew a walk, followed by a single by Featherston.
The hitting parade continued when Trevor Willson hit his third double in three games. Faubion drew a walk, Jones hit his third single of the game, Boyd walked, and Storm hit his second single of the game. Arley Anderson and McHugh walked for the second time in the inning, loading up the bases. That's when Staley cracked his Grand Salami. The team emptied the bench to congratulate him on the sport's greatest offensive achievement. Haussmann ended the inning when he hit a grounder that was smothered by the second baseman.Faubion finished off the game in style, striking out the next two Tiger batters. To get the final out, Faubion blocked a ball that was hit to the pitcher. When Willson caught the throw at first, the game was over.
For the second game in a row, the Rams showed they had the discipline and courage to come from behind and win the game. Next up, GM Rams vs. Brighton Bulldogs. Saturday April 12th, 10 a.m., Lochwood Park.
