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Ravens rise above the heat for win
(by Erin Patricia Griffiths - July 22, 2008)
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Photo By Robert S. Pytel
With one out, James Puglia stepped up to the plate and hit a walk-off homerun for a 6-5 victory over Wyckoff.
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Extreme heat and humidity could not keep the Pascack Valley Raven’s from victory over Wyckoff as they battled through a nine-inning game on Saturday, July 19, winning 6-5 on James Puglia’s walk-off homerun.
Puglia was a key player in the game, relieving pitcher James Moran, who was suffering from dehydration, in the top of the fifth and then launching the game-winning homerun in the bottom of the ninth. “The game should have went to JJ [James Moran]. He was going with a no-hitter. He had to come out because he got a little sick,” said Puglia. “I gave up the runs, so I felt responsible. I had to come back with the batting.”
And Puglia did come back, winning the game and helping lead the team to compete in the state districts tournaments next week. “Puglia came in, did the job, and had his third walk-off homerun of the year,” said Coach Mike Hourigan. “I think everyone participated, one way or the other. Now for the first time, we are going to the state districts. We are excited,” continued Hourigan.
The Ravens went into the game with a 13-6 record in the league, and a prior 4-1 win over Wyckoff earlier in the season.
But with temperatures in the high 90s and the sun directly overhead in the early afternoon game, the team had a lot more than just their opponents to compete with.
In the bottom of the first, the Ravens’ Puglia scored on Alex Caravella’s line drive single to center for a one run lead. Alex Gerbig’s ground ball to the pitcher in the bottom of the fourth scored Caravella, increasing the Ravens lead to 2-0.
In the top of the fifth, the Ravens’ starting pitcher Moran had to relinquish his place on the mound to Puglia when he was overcome with dehydration. But it was not enough to keep Moran out of the game, as he moved over to third base. “We couldn’t play with eight guys, I couldn’t let that happen. It was the states,” said Moran.
But Wyckoff took advantage of the change in pitchers, and scored two runs to tie the game 2-2, before another run in the top of the sixth gave Wyckoff a 3-2 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Ravens answered back with a tying run from Moran on Sean Liddy’s ground ball to shortstop. But the team couldn’t keep Wyckoff from scoring in the top of the seventh on an RBI groundball to center, giving them a 4-3 lead, before another RBI groundball to first increased the lead to two runs.
The Ravens retired the side and entered the bottom of the seventh knowing they needed two runs to tie the game. Ryan Hourigan’s walk, followed by Ryan Kuizema’s line drive double to center put the tying runs on second and third. Moran stepped up to the plate and singled to center scoring the pair to tie the score.
As the game went into extra innings, the sun overhead became more powerful as the clouds parted, but the Ravens would not give in. After holding Wyckoff scoreless in eighth and ninth innings, Pascack Valley went into the bottom of the ninth and was met with a new pitcher, who replaced the starter after eight innings.
Ryan Hourigan was up at bat and launched a line drive to right center that was caught in the outfield. With one out, Puglia stepped up to the plate and hit a walk-off homerun for a 6-5 victory over Wyckoff. “Both sides played an incredible game,” said Coach Hourigan. “It was key hits at the right time, and some good base running.”
As the starting pitcher and the player responsible for tying the game, Moran was pleased with the team’s success and focused on recovering from the heat. “The win makes me feel better,” said Moran. “I am just going to rest, go home, relax for a little bit. But the win makes me feel better.”
As for the next game, the team hopes to maintain the level of performance displayed against Wyckoff. “Everyone played great. JJ [Moran] and Puglia played awesome,” said Kuizema. “I just hope for the same thing. I hope our pitching keeps going and our hitting stays consistent, and we’ll do fine.”
Erin Patricia Griffiths' e-mail address is GriffithsE@northjersey.com.
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