The Old Saybrook Rams boys baseball team continued their dominance by extending their shoreline conference winning streak to eight games.
They took on the Nathan Hale-Ray Noises on Saturday, May 8 at their home park in Moodus. The Rams ended up taking the win convincingly, by a score of 12-2. Their electric offense and stout pitching were the keys to their well-deserved victory.
“[Our mindset is to] come out and try and retire the first batter, because when we retire the first batter of the inning, we’ve given up minimal runs across the season. [We also] struggle [in] the times where we don’t [accomplish that],” said Noises Head Coach Richard Gable.
“[I believe] the team has played fairly well this year. We’ve had some ups and downs[,]as with any team, but I think we’ve displayed some potential and the fact that we can compete with any team,” said Junior Catcher Joe Kalisz.
The game started slow, as both teams had relatively short innings and couldn’t seem to muster up any offense. That changed in the bottom of the second inning when the Noises were able to get two runners on second and third base. However, they were left stranded, as the next batter struck out to end the inning.
In the top of the third inning, the Rams started to come alive on the offensive side. They started off the inning with a single into right field, and they were able to get two runners on thanks to an error from the Noises’ shortstop. They eventually were able to load the bases when the Noises failed to turn a double play, scoring a run in the process for the Rams. Then, the next batter was able to get a double that scored two runs, giving them a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third.
The Noises were able to get one run thanks to a double by Oliver Ross, the senior catcher. He was able to get to third base due to a passed ball, and he went on to score after Austin Sevigny, a junior, reached on an infield single.
Sevigny, who is both a pitcher and hitter, had an amazing performance against Windham on April 30. He was able to strike out an impressive 17 batters, proving crucial in their 8-3 victory. Not only that, but he also only gave up one walk and surrendered two earned runs.
“...it isn’t something easy to do…,” said Sevigny. He went on to say that he hopes to, “...continue to carry that confidence throughout the remainder of the season and avoid becoming discouraged.”
In the top of the fifth inning, the Rams started to pile on the scoring. They started the inning nicely by drawing a walk and getting a runner on base. He later scored thanks to another double. They were able to get another run across after a subsequent single into right field. When the inning was all said and done, the score was 7-1 in favor of the Rams.
Despite the loss, Senior First Baseman Ryan Sikorski is proud of the team’s strength. “We played with each other for so many years[, and] we have that connection as a team.”
The Rams came into the game with a record of 10-3, having previously earned a 15-3 victory over Portland on May 5. With this victory away from home, they are firmly in control of the Shoreline conference small league division. They play at Coginchaug in their next game on Monday.
As for the Noises, who came off a 7-2 win against Westbrook, they face Portland on Monday at home. To get ready for that game, Coach Gable’s job will be to teach his players to, “...put it in the past. I preach to live in the present. You [cannot] undo the past, and if you start thinking too far into the future, then you don’t know what is in front of you.”
Despite the trials and tribulations the team has had to go through this year, they still are in a good position for the Shoreline conference small league. They are tied for second place with Old Lyme with a record of 5-4, only behind Old Saybrook. If they can pick up the pace, they could be in position for a run in the Shoreline tournament coming up fast.
Works Cited
“Hale Ray Baseball.” Hale Ray High School (Moodus, CT) Varsity Baseball, https://www.maxpreps.com/ct/moodus/hale-ray-noises/baseball/.
“Old Saybrook Baseball.” Old Saybrook High School (CT) Varsity Baseball, https://www.maxpreps.com/ct/old-saybrook/old-saybrook-rams/baseball/.
“Austin Sevigny's High School Baseball Stats.” MaxPreps.com, 11 May 2022, https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/austin-sevigny/6T3NhfmXX0GdCOxEOFqszw/baseball/stats.htm#year=21-22.
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