Rams come out swinging, leave stinging

CCC recovers from a 6-0 deficit to win.

By DOUG KATES
Published April 5, 2007

CLEARWATER - Two home runs, including a grand slam, spotted Ridgewood a 6-0 lead Wednesday night against Clearwater Central Catholic.

But the lead was only in the first inning.

The Marauders not only overcame the deficit, but defeated the Rams 10-8.

"We knew they were going to score runs," Ridgewood coach Larry Beets said. "They swing too well."

In the first inning, Mike Vavasis belted the grand slam, his second home run this season. Cory Paterson hit the solo shot, his first home run.

Marauders coach Todd Vaughan walked to the mound and talked to Dante Roberts, but left him in. The starter regained his focus and hit his marks from that point.

Meanwhile, CCC scored three runs in the second inning and one in the third. With one out in the fourth, Zach Upton was looking for a hit down the rightfield line. Instead he smacked a three-run home run over the leftfield line for the lead.

The Marauders never looked back.

"As long as we were getting hits here and there, something was going to happen," Upton said.

Vavasis, Paterson and Justin Chittum each had two hits for the Rams (14-4). Ben Koenigsfeld pitched into the fifth inning before getting relieved.

Nick Leone went 3-for-4 for the Marauders (13-4). Ryan Acosta had a big three-run double in the fifth inning.

Roberts survived the first inning to get the win. Trevor Campbell and Ryan Acosta finished in relief.

CCC 10, Ridgewood 8

[Last modified April 5, 2007, 00:14:17]