MONTEREY – The second game of the season at Ed Crigler Field Monday saw a competitive game between the Rams and the Parry McCluer Fighting Blues, with the Rams coming out on top 9-2.
The wind wreaked havoc with the fly balls, which were hit out to the outfield all night, but the players for each team handled it well. The Rams enjoyed a great turnout from the fans, and they were treated to some good defense by the home team.
Ram coach J.D. Hiner said, “The defense was really good with some nice, smooth throws and the guys were not rushing things. They also came out hitting and this can be attributed to the batting practice we had the day before.”
He added, “I am very proud of John Wagner, our pitcher, who pitched a complete seven-inning game with 84 pitches — simply outstanding.”
The beginning started with Wagner getting roughed up some by the Blues as he surrendered two walks, three hits, and one run. He notched a strikeout, though. Ram Michael Campbell got it going with a single and then stole second. Wagner was up next and promptly hit a single, scoring Campbell.
The second inning, Wagner returned to good form and threw two strikeouts, giving up only one hit to Parry McCluer.
Ram Colton Williams made an outstanding play at third, snaring a line drive. The Rams at bat didn’t mount much of an attack, leaving the scored knotted 1-1. Zach Armstrong reached first on a walk, then stole second and third.
During the third inning, Wagner was in a groove as the Fighting Blues went down in order 1-2-3 and he gathered another strikeout. In the bottom half, the Rams heated up again as Campbell hit a single, then stole second. A couple batters later, Williams slammed a two-run homer over the right field fence, moving the Rams to a 3-1 lead. Ethan Moore advanced to first on a dropped third strike, then stole second and third before the inning ended.
In the fourth inning, the Blues showed they weren’t done yet. Maison Hamilton hit a single before stealing second and third. Tanner Coleman hit a single, scoring Hamilton, making the score 3-2 Rams. This didn’t seem to bother Wagner much as he earned another strikeout and an outstanding fielding play from Elijah Good, throwing from second to Armstrong at first to end the inning.
The Rams, in their turn at bat, started with Armstrong hitting a single then advancing to second with a steal. Evan Kimble hit a single and Armstrong and Kimble each stole a base. This set things up for Good, who hit a two-run double scoring Armstrong and Kimble.
After two outs, Campbell walked and stole second. Wagner walked, then Williams hit a two-run double scoring Campbell and Wagner. Moore hit an RBI double, bringing in Williams, then stole third before the inning ended with the Rams ahead 9-2.
The top of the fifth, McCluer had one runner get on base with an error. In the bottom of the fifth, Ram Patton Hull walked and advanced on a passed ball from the McCluer pitcher and catcher. The inning ended with no further additions to the score by either team.
The sixth inning, Wagner took down Parry McCluer 1-2-3. The bottom of the sixth saw Wagner and Williams hit singles with each stealing a base advancing to second and third. Armstrong earned a walk before the inning ended.
If Parry McCluer was entertaining thoughts of a comeback, Wagner pretty much stopped that notion, striking out the first two batters in the top of the seventh before the game ended on a flyout to Hull in centerfield.
Wagner (2-0) was dominating for the Rams, only allowing seven hits, issuing two walks, and striking out eight batters, earning the game ball from Coach Hiner.
Campbell stole three more bases, adding to his total of 15 for the season.
As a team the Rams, collected 15 stolen bases.
Highland improved to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the Pioneer District, while the Blues are 2-2 in the Pioneer and 4-2 overall.
The Rams played at home against Acova-Prattsburgh, N.Y. on Tuesday and host Bath County next Tuesday.
Monday’s Linescore
Parry McCluer 100 100 0 - 2 7 0
Highland 102 600 x - 9 11 2
WP: John Wagner (2-0); LP: Tyler Wade
HR: Colton Williams (3rd inning, 1 on)
Editor’s note: In the article for Highland’s first game again0st Richwood, W.Va., last week,, Armstrong was attributed with seven steals; he had two steals. Campbell had the seven steals.