On Thursday, OP Baseball looked to build off their recent success, taking on the Linden Tigers at Cavalero Field. Junior Brian Kelly started for the Rams. He dominated on the mound, striking out batters left and right while also inducing plenty of weak pop-ups and ground balls.

Despite Kelly’s valiant pitching efforts, Oratory struggled to get the bats going through the first five innings, leaving multiple runners on base. Linden also failed to capitalize on their opportunities, as they were unable to drive in a single run, as Kelly maneuvered in and out of jams.

It was not until the bottom of the sixth in which Oratory finally got on the board. Jack Greco smoked a single into the outfield to start off the rally. Alex Fudenna came in to pinch run for him, representing the leading run on first base. With one out, Tyler Gobel and Evan O’Dowd hit back-to-back base knocks, loading the bases for Jack Cuddihy. As of late, Cuddihy has been the Rams’ most clutch hitter, coming up in big spots against New Providence to tie it as well as against MKA to take the lead. He continued to build off that, bringing home Fudenna on an RBI groundout. 1-0 Rams.

One run was all Brian Kelly needed. He took the hill in the top of the seventh, and the Tigers went down 1-2-3. The Rams won the game, 1-0, extending their winning streak to four straight games. Hands down, Kelly was the player of the game. Through 7.0 innings, the right-hander threw a complete-game shutout, striking out seven while only surrendering three hits and a walk. OP’s next matchup will be at home on Saturday, May 8th, against the crosstown rival the Summit Hilltoppers. Roll Rams!