Ramapo Hitting Streak Continues Against Mahwah

The Ramapo baseball team defeated the Mahwah Thunderbirds on their home field Wednesday, 7-5, despite a slow start that saw the Raiders fall behind 3-0 through four innings.            

It was in the fifth where the bats finally decided to wake up as Ramapo put up seven runs in the frame, including two long balls off the bats of John Gandolfo and Nick Madormo.

Gandolfo was the first Raider to go yard after hitting a one-out solo shot to deep center field.

"At first I was just looking to make contact and fight off some pitches to see what he was bringing," said Gandolfo. "After fouling a fastball I was hoping he'd give me another one and luckily the pitcher put it right there. I originally just tried putting the ball in play but it ended up going out."

The play appeared to give Ramapo some much-needed momentum as the next two batters reached base safely, allowing Madormo to blast a three-run homer to deep left field.

"It was a big spot in the game with us trailing 3-1, and I was hoping I would get something to drive to get the runners around the bases," said Madormo. "The ball came low on a 2-2 count, and I just kind of golfed it out."

With that Ramapo took the lead for the first time all game, going up 4-3, but the Raiders were far from done. Warren Hartmann stepped to the plate and delivered a two-out double down the first-base line. From there Hartmann would steal third before coming home courtesy of a wild throw that went to the Mahwah outfield.

The scoring barrage seemed to rattle the Mahwah defense as the next three Raiders were walked to load the bases for Tim Kologrivov. The designated hitter drove Chris Liquori and Sean Munier in to put Ramapo up comfortably 7-3.

The Raiders would not score another run the rest of the ball game but the damage was done, and it was more than enough for starting pitcher Ari Kaufman. The right-handed flame thrower went all seven innings, striking out five batters while only walking two Thunderbirds.

Mahwah threatened to rally in the bottom innings by tacking on two runs, but they would come up short.

Wednesday's hitting display was a continuation from Ramapo's first-round state tournament game where the Raider's lit up third-seeded Pascack Valley, 18-8. The Raiders will look for more of the same when they take on second-round opponent Lakeland this Friday.

"Lakeland is a very good team so it should be a very competitive game," said Madormo. "It took awhile, but our bats finally came alive, and it couldn't have come at a better time."

Gandolfo seconded his teammate's sentiments.

"They're a pretty good hitting team, but we'll have our ace on the hill (T.J. Hunt). It's going to be a battle."