Published: May 13, 2008 10:49 am            

Rams fall at home to Centralia, 3-2

By JACK CLARK

jackclark@mvn.net

MT. VERNON — The Mt. Vernon Rams managed to plate a run in the bottom of the seventh inning, but that wasn't enough as the King City team fell, 3-2 to the visiting Centralia Orphans on Monday afternoon at Brennan Klein Memorial Field.

The teams split the season series, as Mt. Vernon was a winner at Centralia previously.

"We sneaked past them over there and they beat us today," Rams coach Tim Holloway said. "They scored more runs than we did. We'll see if we can get them next week."

Holloway is referring to the Class 3A Regional tournament, which will be held at Klein Field, beginning on Wednesday, May 21.

Rams starter Klayton Hahn scattered seven Orphan hits, while striking out four and walking two. Holloway said that Hahn was getting full use of his array of deliveries.

"He was getting three pitches over," Holloway said. "That's key for him. When he gets three pitches over for strikes, then he is successful. When he doesn't, it's tough. He did everything that he could to give us a chance."

The Rams got a run on the board in the bottom of the first inning, when Mt. Vernon left-fielder Mike Swinnen reached on a throwing error by the Orphan third-baseman on a hard-hit ball. Swinnen advanced to third after a wild throw and subsequently scored on a wild pitch.

After the Orphans had scored twice late in the game, Mt. Vernon had another chance in the bottom of the seventh.

Rams third-sacker Josh Sears led off with a single. Sears came around to score after singles by Jim Mulvaney and Ethan O'Neal. But Mt. Vernon stranded two as the game ended.

"We were right there and we caught a bad break," said Holloway. "They beat us. That's it."

Orphans pitcher Derek Teitsart struck out 10 Rams, while allowing only six hits and no walks.

"We swung at some bad pitches," Holloway said. "There's no question about that. Some of that has to do with our plate discipline. We'll have to correct that."

King City players would agree with their coach.

"Yeah, we needed that one," said Rams shortstop Ryan Quick. "We struck out too many times."

The Rams are scheduled to play at Salem today, weather permitting. Mt. Vernon is at home against Breese-Mater Dei on Thursday, before traveling to Highland on Saturday for a double-header to end the regular season.

Mt. Vernon first-baseman and pitcher Jim Mulvaney said that he thinks that the Rams will be in good shape heading into the regional tournament.

"I think that we'll be OK," said Mulvaney. "Our pitching has been good this year, keeping us in close games."

Mulvaney said that the time has come for the Rams offense peak as the regional tournament looms.

"We're due. We're due," Mulvaney said. "I think that we'll come into the tournament and score some runs."

On May 21, No. 1 seed Marion will take on No. 4 Carbondale at 4:30 p.m.

Mt. Vernon will play Centralia at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 22. The winners of the two games will meet at 1 p.m. on Saturday for the regional championship.

        

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