North Baseball Plays Hard But Falls to Suffern, 6-1

Clarkstown North baseball had a tough 6-1 loss to the Suffern Mounties on Thursday afternoon.

Both teams competed hard and played solid baseball, however, the Rams couldn't recover from an early deficit in the game.  The Mounties hit well all around and most importantly were able to connect when it mattered with runners in scoring position.  Though the Rams were able to get runners on base, they weren't able to finish the job and drive them home.  As a result, they were handed their ninth loss, bringing them to an even .500 this season.

The top of the first went scoreless, which brought #27 Andrew Vaccarelli to the mound as starting pitcher for the Rams.  With one out and the bases loaded, the Mounties hit a shot to center to score their first two runs.  The Rams were able to get out of trouble after this and closed the inning with a great double play.

Though they got two runners on base in the top of the second, they couldn't bring them home and so the inning went scoreless for the Rams.  To start the bottom of the second, the Rams quickly found themselves in trouble with no outs and the bases loaded.  The Mounties scored three runs off the next three hits, which left them with two outs.  The Rams then got out of another dangerous situation with the bases loaded off a fly to right caught by Anthony Barbetto to close the inning.

After a scoreless third, the Rams were able to drive home a run in the fourth, however they weren't able to build on it and the inning was brought to a close 5-1.  Jon Studwell, aided by the solid fielding of his teammates, had a great couple of innings for the Rams and did not let up any more runs. 

This brought the Rams to the top of the fifth, with two men on and no outs.  Unfortunately, the Rams could not capitalize on the situation, as they received two outs after a costly slide from #35 Brandon Stein which knocked down the first baseman.  Despite some anger which arose from the controversial play, everyone showed restraint and acted in a sportsmanlike manner.  This play was followed by a quick out to close the top of the inning.

Rob Abdallah came into pitch for the Rams in the bottom of the fifth.  With bases loaded and one out, the Mounties hit a fly to center field, which was caught.  Overthrowing the cutoff man, they almost made the play at home.  Unfortunately for the Rams, the runner was called safe and the play was made at third to end the inning 6-1.

The game finished off dominated by solid pitching and fielding on both sides to keep the final score at 6-1.  This brought Suffern's season to 16-3 and North's to 9-9, with two games left in the season for the Rams.  Knowing they were up against a tough team, they tried changing their lineup around a bit, however this did not allow them to get the win. 

Coach Pilazzo was matter-of-fact about the outcome of the game. "We didn't get the hits when it mattered and they did," he said. "We tried some new things today, they didn't work out but their a tough team."

The Rams look to their next game to bring home a win on Saturday at John Jay East Fishkill High School.