The Rams are rolling.
The Fordham Prep baseball team hasn’t lost a CHSAA game since a gut-wrenching loss to Kennedy Catholic in late April. It collected its eight straight victory by beating All Hollows 6-2 on April 13 at Fordham University. The Rams are battling for second place in their division after a 3-4 start to the year.
“I think that was the time where the guys said, ‘Let’s stop [messing] around and start playing some ball,” Fordham Prep Pat Deane said. They did. They turned it on right there.”
Fordham has seen its pitching fall into place behind ace Conor McNamara and the timely hits have come. McNamara got off to a shaky start in the first inning against All Hallows despite striking on the side. He allowed a run on two walks and two hits, including an RBU single by Juan Ramos to fall behind 1-0.
McNamara was dominant after that. He allowed just three more hits over his final five innings of work and struck out seven in game. All Hallows stranded runners and first and second with one out in second as McNamara go to pop ups to end the treat.
“I tried to lock in even more,” he said. “I started real slow off the mound. I just tried to hit the glove every time, keep them of balance and pitch to contact to keep the pitch count down.”
His lineup quickly picked things up as well. It scored twice in the top of the second on All Hallows errors to grab a 2-1 lead. Fordham tacked on four more runs in the third. Brian McAuliffe and Christian Greco each had RBI singles and Thomas Huvane lifted a sac fly. A throwing error brought home the final run to make it 6-1.
“Everyone is just putting together a couple of hits, score some run here and there and get a W,” said Greco, who went 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
While Fordham Prep (11-4) is hitting its stride, All Hallows’ up and down season continues. The Gaels are now 8-8 after being unable to makes some simple defensive behind starter Mario Cabrera. He scattered seven hits over 6 2/3 innings of work and allowed two earned runs.
“Little simple, easy plays,” Gaels coach Ed Gutierrez said. “That’s just a matter of concentration…These kids have yet to learn how to play under adverse situations.”
While he hopes to get a little momentum going before the playoffs, Fordham is looking to maintain its good play. Christopher Calamari, Jason Apostle and Lorenzo Hiraldo have all become reliable arms and the young group found its confidence.
“It’s good to get hot at the right time,” McNamara said. “Playoffs coming up. We got to finish strong.”
