The LaSalle Rams (7-6, 6-5 in league play) traveled to Cranston Stadium to take on the Thunderbolts (4-8, 4-7 in league play) on Friday afternoon. The Rams produced runs in bunches in the late innings. They won in six innings, due to the ten run rule, 12-2.
Rams senior pitcher Nicholas Cooney was key to the victory. He pitched a complete game, giving up two runs, and had ten strikeouts.
"Nick is one of the better pitchers in the state," Rams coach, Geoff Marcone said.
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In the top of the first, LaSalle's Robert Fox lined the ball up the middle driving in a run, giving the Rams an early 1-0 lead.
After a lead-off double by John Razzino in the bottom half of the inning, Ivan Reyes tied the game with a sacrifice fly.
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LaSalle picked up two more runs in the top of the fourth, extending their lead to 3-1. The Rams offense was far from finished.
In the fifth inning, they scored four runs. Senior Brendan Tracy drove the ball deep to right and it left the yard for a two run homer, extending the lead to 7-1. They weren't done yet, as they poured it on in the top of the sixth inning.
Paul Rampone Jr. began the rally with a home run to centerfield, picking up his second and third RBI's on the afternoon. By the end of the inning, the lead had increased to 12-2.
Cooney finished strong retiring the side in order in the bottom half of the sixth. Due to the ten run rule, the game was called after six innings of play.
Mike Walsh, Cranston East head coach, noted that the offense needs to produce more. "We have to find ways to score runs," he said, "And we need to execute the plays in the field defensively."
