Baseball 9/20/2021 2:00:00 PM Natasha Pinto

Rams split series with Waterloo on Opening Day

HAMILTON, Ont. - After almost a year and a half without any OUA baseball games, the Rams played their first opening day games against the Waterloo Warriors in Hamilton on Saturday. Excitement and anticipation raced through the team as they took their positions on the field to open the season.

Head coach, Kevin Bly, alongside Quinn Cumming, Kevin MacDonald, Howard Rubin and Myles Swartz, were all excited to support, encourage and see the team play. Bly added, "The boys were excited, the coaches were excited; we all felt we could file COVID on the shelf for our double header, get out there and play the game that [we] love."

Game 1: Waterloo 9, Rams 2

Starting pitcher Justin Stonkus was fired up and focused on making a big impact in the first inning, along with the rest of the players on the field. "Justin is a workhorse," Bly commented. "He came out, threw strikes, threw as hard as he could, and left it all on the field when he was done."

The Warriors managed to score first, taking a 2-0 lead over the Rams but the Rams looked to answer back in the bottom of the first inning. Outfielder, Domenic Gonzalez, tried his best to bring home a run, but was stranded at third base that ended the inning.

Francesco Giordano took the mound in the fourth inning. The Warriors scored two more runs, however Austin Ansonen made a catch to end the inning.

Another pitching change was made, with Kit Corsini taking the mound. The Warriors continued to bring home runs, making the score 6-0 by the fifth inning.

A stunning play was then made by Devon Capitao, which resulted in screams and chants from the field and the rest of the team in the dugout. Catcher/third baseman, Matthew Potichnyj said that the "highlight of the game was when Capitao made the diving play and then threw it to first to get the out."

Last on the mound for Game 1 was Trevor Carter. Trying for a strike, unfortunately resulted in a walk and another run on the board for the Warriors. Ryan Ricci made a catch at first base, and the Rams were then up to bat again.

In the top of the seventh, the Warriors scored an eighth run and a ninth one on an error by the Rams. The Rams finally secured a pinch run, making it 9-1.

To end the inning and the game, Matteo Forgione brought it home from third, yet it was not enough for the Rams to pull out the win against the Waterloo Warriors.

The end result was not what the Rams hoped to accomplish, however they felt the need to bounce back and prove themselves in the next game.

Game 2: Rams 6, Waterloo 5

Energized and ready to play, the Rams started this game off with a bang.

After the first inning, Ryerson was up early against Waterloo, taking a 1-0 lead.

Noah Falkenberg, starting pitcher for Game 2, allowed no runs for Waterloo in the first and second innings.

Spirits were high from the bullpen as Devon Capitao walked up to the plate. He was hit with the first pitch and walked to first. Capitao was then eventually tagged out, ending with no scored runs for Ryerson.

Waterloo scored in the third inning, and the game was tied. Logan Kerry was put in on the mound for Falkenberg. The Warriors scored three more runs, putting them back on top once again.

The top of the fourth inning lasted a while with Kerry still on the mound for the Rams. Kerry managed to hold down the Warriors, not letting any of them score. The game accelerated from here for the Rams with a walk to score, two runs, bases loaded and then two more runs with an RBI from Josh Thomas, now making the score 6-4.

Matteo Forgione then got his turn on the mound throwing great pitches against the Warriors. For the last out, shortstop Thomas Markus caught a line drive and threw it over to second base to end the inning. At this point, Ryerson was still holding onto its lead by two.

As a closing pitcher, Max Dieks was called up from the bullpen to take Forgione's place, with only one out at the moment. Another run was scored, making it 6-5, but the Rams still fought back to keep their lead, as no runs were scored in the bottom inning. Dieks closed the game out in the final frame and the bullpen was loud, and the adrenaline was pumping.

With the first day of opening weekend in the books, the Rams started their 2021 season off with a 1-1 standing.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#20 Austin Ansonen: OF/3B; 5' 9"; 1

#31 Devon Capitao: 3B; 5' 10"; 1

#9 Domenic Gonzalez: OF; 6' 1"; 1

#21 Francesco Giordano: P; 5' 7"; 2

#5 Josh Thomas: OF; 5' 11"; 1

#34 Justin Stonkus: P; 6' 3"; 3

#7 Kit Corsini: P/OF; 6' 0"; 1

#18 Logan Kerry: P; 5' 7"; 3

#6 Matteo Forgione: P/2B; 5' 7"; 1

#30 Matthew Potichnyj: C/3B; 5' 11"; 1

Players Mentioned

#20 Austin Ansonen
: 5' 9"; 1
: OF/3B

#31 Devon Capitao
: 5' 10"; 1
: 3B

#9 Domenic Gonzalez
: 6' 1"; 1
: OF

#21 Francesco Giordano
: 5' 7"; 2
: P

#5 Josh Thomas
: 5' 11"; 1
: OF

#34 Justin Stonkus
: 6' 3"; 3
: P

#7 Kit Corsini
: 6' 0"; 1
: P/OF

#18 Logan Kerry
: 5' 7"; 3
: P

#6 Matteo Forgione
: 5' 7"; 1
: P/2B

#30 Matthew Potichnyj
: 5' 11"; 1
: C/3B