Breault Walks it Off Against Dayton

Heading into their game against Dayton, the Rams defeated two division opponents to sit 3-1 in the UCC Mountain Division. The game was supposed to played at Dayton, but the field was deemed “unplayable” and therefore the Rams got to host Dayton on the earlier side of the season. Coach Costello told the boys how big this game was before it took place saying he wanted to go into the Easter Break being 4-1 in the Mountain Division. On the hill for the Rams was junior ace, Thomas Albanito, who did not have great career numbers against Dayton coming in. The Bulldogs were able to get off to a fast start in the top half of the opening inning scoring on a bases loaded walk to put them ahead 1-0. The Rams came up in the bottom half of the inning empty handed, as the Bulldogs yet again took advantage by doubling their lead on an RBI single. Fast-forward to the bottom half of the third frame, the Rams got on the board thanks to a Joseph Loiacono RBI for his 3rd of the season to cut the Dayton lead in half 2-1. The rest of the game was a “pitcher’s duel” as both Albanito and the Dayton pitcher were excellent throughout. Albanito was able to escape trouble numerous times as well as the Dayton pitcher. Albanito pitched until the 6th inning, finishing with 2 earned runs and 5 punch outs. After Albanito’s exit, the Rams were knocking on the door. With two outs Jalen Brogdon hit a grounder to second base and beat the ball out on a Dayton error. This would tie the game and score Logan Costello to knot the Bulldogs and Rams up at 2 a piece. Peter Van Raamsdonk relieved Albanito in the 7th and did not disappoint as he went for a no hit inning in the 7th. After the Rams were unable to finish the game in the 7th, the senior lefty walked the first two hitters of the inning. Instead of folding when most players do, Van Raamsdonk struck out the very next batter and then proceeded to get a double play in order to get out the inning once again. Logan Costello led off the bottom half of extra innings with a four pitch walk as Joe Loiacono kept the pressure on with a single in the very next at bat. With runners on first and second, Blake Duddy then singled to load the bases for Caden Breault. With a 3-1 count, Breault drove the ball over the center fielder’s head to give the Rams their 5th victory this season. The Rams now sit 5-3 on the year as they play newly Watchung Division, Union Catholic.