The Roadrunners returned to action this week, earning themselves one non-conference win and two losses for the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC). Earlier in the week they sat at 21-9 overall and 5-5 for NJAC. The team went on to play a doubleheader on Saturday, April 19, earning them two NJAC wins against Rutgers Camden making them 23-9 overall and 7-5 in the league.
“So far we have had our ups and downs, but we have put ourselves in a position where we control our own destiny heading into the final week of the season,” Head Coach Ryan Rinsky said in an interview.
The Ramapo College baseball team defeated rival Rutgers-Camden in their special senior doubleheader game. They won Game One 2-0 and Game Two 3-0.
To celebrate the significant games for the seniors, there were banners lining the walkway to the field that each showcased one of the nine senior players. In addition between the two games, parents held a special lunch for the players and the families to enjoy. Both were there to celebrate and honor the seniors as Ramapo hosted the doubleheader.
In game one, there were no runs on the board for either team until the seventh inning. Grad student John Higgins would be the one to help break the 0-0 tie with a double down the left field line earning him a spot on base. Senior Jesse Swartout secured the lead with a two run homerun over the center field fence making the score 2-0. Ramapo and the Scarlet Raptors both did not earn runs following the seventh inning making the final score 2-0.
Ramapo collected four hits in the game, two walks and ten strikeouts.
Junior James Pazdera pitched seven innings, earning 10 strikeouts that matched his season and career high. He surrendered four hits, walked three and did not give up a single run. Senior Ryan Lasko earned his eighth save of the season in the final innings of the game. His saves put him as the third best in a single season in program history. He surrendered one hit, and walked one.
“Winning on Senior day felt awesome. Our group of seniors hold ourselves and the team to a high standard so winning is expected,” Lasko said in an interview with The Ramapo News.
After a quick lunch break, the team once again took the field and won against Rutgers-Camden ending the game 3-0.
Ramapo started off strong with three runs in the bottom half of the first inning. With one out and senior Dominick Ciani on first base, sophomore Zach Novakowski singled to right side of infield to put two Roadrunners on base. Higgins was hit by a pitch to load the bases before Swartout RBI singled as Ciani came home, 1-0. Grad student Matt Lalomia drove in Higgins and Swartout with a hit to right field pushing the lead to 3-0. Both teams did not receive any more runs making the final score 3-0.
Ramapo collected eight hits in the game, one walk and 15 strikeouts.
Rinsky elaborated, “We definitely could have scored some more runs, but we faced a couple of really good arms and we battled enough to win the games.”
Senior Jack Martin pitched the entire game showcasing a masterful performance for his senior day. He received his career high of 15 strikeouts to earn his fifth win of the season. He struck out two or more in his first five innings and did not walk a single batter. He surrendered four hits for the Scarlet Raptors.
“Our team is going to go as far as our group of pitchers can take us and have all the confidence in the world in our group,” Lasko said.
Following game two, Ramapo Athletics hosted a special senior day ceremony where senior students received a specially designed photo of themselves, as well as a bat to commemorate their time on the team. Each player was called up to receive their gifts from the coaches before taking a photo.
“Senior day was a great day for our program. We got to celebrate the careers of nine of our players, while getting two huge wins that we needed,” Rinsky said.
Players also had an opportunity to take a photo with the coaches, President Cindy Jebb and their families. It was a time to bring focus to their efforts on the field and honor their time on the team. At the end of the individual photos, the team took one big photo to honor the seniors and the team itself.
The Roadrunners are not done yet with their season, and look forward to working hard on the field to earn their place in the championship for yet another year. They are focused on their season right now, and will work their hardest to get to where they know they can be.
“I am expecting our guys to give everything they have to extend the season as long as possible. This group is so close and I know they want to take this season as far as it can go,” Rinsky said.
rbleich@ramapo.edu
Featured photo by Jenna Barnes
