[ back ]
Flash secure 8-5 win over Union
(by Erin Patricia Griffiths - August 05, 2008)
 |
|
Staff Photo By Erin Patricia Griffiths
Nick Ramagali attempts a pick-off at first base in the bottom of the first inning. He pitched eight innings before being replaced on the mound due to his pitch count.
|
The Flash triumphed over Union Post 35 on Tuesday, July 29 in the American Legion playoffs, finishing with an 8-5 win to keep themselves in the tournament – not an easy feat for a team who had a long break before entering into the playoffs.
“Even though we weren’t playing as a team together, these kids were getting their work in,” said Coach Bob Howell. “As you can see, we aren’t as sharp as we were when we were playing mid-season. Every game we seem to get a little more regrouped.” And in the game against Union, the team proved to be back in its old rhythm again.
With a scoreless first inning on both sides, the Flash brought in two runs in the top of the second. Blake Crouch scored the team’s first run on a line drive to right from James Aramanda, followed by John Maughan scoring on Kevin Herget’s hit to shortstop.
Union retired the side without letting any additional runs in, but couldn’t score on the Flash in the bottom of the second.
Park Ridge increased their lead by another two runs in the top of the third for a 4-0 score. Chris Picyk’s line drive to center and Trace McDermott’s bunt put runners on first and second, before a passed ball by Union allowed the runners to move up to second and third. Dane McDermott stepped up to the plate and launched a line drive double to center, scoring Picyk and Trace McDermott.
Union responded in the bottom of the third with a line drive double to score one of their runners and put themselves on the scoreboard. But the Flash retired the side with a three run lead, moving into the top of the fourth where they picked up two more runs when Herget and Picyk were scored to make the score 6-1.
With his second run of the game, Picyk was playing strong, despite it being his second game of the day, having played in a showcase game earlier. “One thing my high school coaches told me was never lose your hustle. Everybody is watching,” said Picyk.
Park Ridge held Union from scoring until the bottom of the fifth where they picked up another two runs to reduce the Flash’s lead to three runs. In the top of the sixth, a single line drive to center by Matt Moreno scored starting pitcher Nick Ramagli for a 7-3 lead. Crouch later scored on a bunt from Dane McDermott in the top of the seventh to increase the lead to five runs.
Union could not get past the defense of the Flash to score until the bottom of the ninth where they picked up two runs. After pitching eight innings, Ramagli was replaced by Brian Crimmins on the mound due to his pitch count. “I wanted to finish, but coaches wouldn’t let me,” said Ramagli. Stephen Montalto was brought in to close out the game for an 8-5 win.
“We came out of the gate a little flat,” said Coach Tom McDermott. “A lot of kids haven’t played in about two and a half weeks. That definitely slowed us down.” For their next game, McDermott advised, “We need to make better pitch selection.”
But on Wednesday, July 30, the Flash lost a close game to Flemington, whose 11-10 victory put them into the district finals against Cresskill and ended the season for Park Ridge.
Erin Patricia Griffiths' e-mail address is GriffithsE@northjersey.com.
[ back ]
