Rams make a statement with 10-0 win over PJP2

The paths that Spring-Ford and Pope John Paul II traveled to arrive at Wednesday’s clash of cross-town rivals were strikingly similar.

The Rams, who dropped their season opener, were carrying the momentum of back to back wins over Pottsgrove and Perkiomen Valley, while the Golden Panthers only loss of the season came in a ten-inning marathon against Boyertown.

With both teams playing in top form, Wednesday’s game had all of the makings of a classic showdown.

Spring-Ford senior Mike Oczypok must have missed that memo.

Given the starting nod by manager Bruce Brobst, Oczypok was absolutely sensational on the mound, fanning six, walking two and allowing only four singles in a 10-0 shutout of the Golden Panthers.

“It was just our day," said Rams manager Bruce Brobst. “Mike did a fantastic job. At this level, you can only go as far as pitching will take you. Mike got ahead of hitters and really had great stuff today. They (PJP2) have been playing very well and today we just had everything go our way.”

Oczypok had sharp location and movement on an 85-plus mph fastball in addition to great control of his curveball. It made for a devastating combination for Pope John Paul II's bats.

“I just felt really good today,” said Oczypok. “I was getting calls on my high curve ball, so I kept throwing it, and my fastball was moving pretty well today. I know my job is to get us back in the dugout as quickly as I can so we can hit, so I really like to work fast. It keeps my guys really into the game.”

Spring-Ford (3-1 league, 4-2 overall) played mistake free defense behind Oczypok, who went 2-for-2 with two doubles, two runs scored and a RBI. The Rams never allowed a PJP2 runner to reach third base.

The Rams got on the board in the second inning as designated hitter James Hoff, who led off with a single, scored when Cody Clarke drilled a ball of the glove of shortstop A.J. Koscelansky.

Catcher Ryan Conway pushed the second run across the plate by launching a sacrifice fly deep to left field, scoring Oczypok, who had doubled.

The Rams boosted their lead to 4-0 when Clarke and right fielder Josh Cratsenberg scored on a two-out triple by Pat Medley, who has seven hits, three runs scored and 6 RBI in his last ten at bats.

“I have been seeing a lot of good pitches,” said Medley. “I have felt pretty comfortable at the plate so far. I have been focused on swinging at good pitches and not helping the pitcher out. Today I got a couple of fastballs that I was able to drive. It was great to see Mike have such command today. That really makes you want play well behind him as a fielder”

Alex Romberger reached base on a walk in the second giving Pope John Paul II (2-2 league) its first base runner, but Romberger after stealing second base as Ozcypok was able to get Anthony Romano to ground out to second baseman Tom Grablewski.

“I was looking for a drag out battle,” said Rams shortstop Ricky Gorrell. “We came out and hit the ball today. I don’t think they had their best game today, but that’s the way this game is. We had a little bit of an attitude today and I don’t know that they were quite ready for that. We need to take care of our end on Friday and get ready for next week.”

PJP2 had its best scoring chance in the fifth inning as Romano (1-for-2) and Vince DiPiero each got one-out base hits, but the threat was ended by a strikeout and a routine groundout, preventing the Golden Panthers from getting on the board.

“I can’t say enough about Mike’s effort today,” added Brobst. “We are going to need good pitching when we have three or four games in a week, which I am sure will happen in the upcoming weeks. Pitching is the key to any team's success, but especially ours as we have not been hitting extremely well.”

The Rams, who pounded out nine hits in all and had runners in scoring position in all but the first inning, scored two more runs in the home half of the fourth. When the Golden Panthers didn't answer in the top of the fifth, the game was ended by the mercy rule.

“This was a big win for us,” said Ozcypok. “I saw the ball very well today and fortunately was able to drive the ball into the gaps. We as a team hit very well today, which will definitely help our confidence, as we get ready for the heart of our league schedule."

BATTING

PITCHING

2B- Ozcypok (2), Clarke. 3B- Medley  SB -Romberger