The Ryerson Rams Baseball team had a strong weekend, picking up wins in three of four of their games. On Saturday the Rams split with Queen's in two close games, winning game one 4-2 but dropping the second game 3-2. On Sunday they traveled West on the 401 where they swept Waterloo 9-5 and 7-6.
Saturday's games were highlighted by great pitching performances by both Ryerson starting pitchers. In game one, Kevin MacDonald was stellar, throwing a complete game 9 innings, only allowing 2 runs to pick up the win. MacDonald was aided by some stellar play in the outfield, with diving catches coming from CF Jared Armstrong and RF Matt Papania.
In game two which was scheduled for seven innings, Rams starter Caleb King had a good outing, also throwing a complete game while surrendering 3 runs. With the bases loaded in the top of the 7th the Rams had a chance to take the lead, but the Queen's CF made a nice play on a sinking line-drive to end the ballgame.
The Rams offence has been relatively quiet for most of the year, but that changed on Sunday in Waterloo. After being down four runs early in game one, the Rams bats came roaring back, punctuated by a three-run home run by short stop Mark Tari. The Rams would continue to push runs across throughout the game, while Ryerson ace Quinn Cumming settled down after some first inning control problems to go the distance and record the win.
The second game was scheduled for seven innings, and the Rams once again had to bounce back from an early deficit, with Waterloo plating three unearned runs in the second. However the Rams didn't panic, scoring runs in the 3rd courtesy of RBI singles from Armstrong and DH Josh Lund, then again in the 5th with an RBI double by first baseman Jason Te. The game was tied after 7, forcing extra innings. In the top of the 9th, Tari led off with a double, was bunted to third by Papania, and then scored on a sac fly by Te. In the bottom of the 9th, Rams reliever Lucas Crichton worked a quick inning to seal the hard-fought win.
Rookie Luke Bellus turned in a solid performance in his first OUA start, going 4.2 innings while surrendering only 1 earned run. Trusted pitcher Allan Perkins was exceptional in relief of Bellus, going 3.1 innings only giving up one earned run while recording some key strikeouts with runners on base.
Rams Head Coach Ben Rich commented on the quality of effort that his team put in all weekend. “It was great to see the guys perform up to their ability. To play four complete games from start to finish in each. Not just in terms of the pitching, hitting, and defence, which of course were all exceptional. But the focus, intensity and mental attention, that's a huge part of what pulled things together for us this weekend.”
The wins raise the Rams record to 5-9. They next take on the Guelph Gryphons on Friday, October 9 with a double-header being played at Dan Lang Field at U of T Scarborough. First game starts at noon.
