Hot Rams Sweep Season Series vs. 'Pac, Win Tantalos Tourney

CARMEL - After dropping a 10-9 heartbreaker against RCK last Wednesday at Carmel, the Rams got right back on track last weekend, opening with a 9-1 win Friday over Fox Lane at Dutchess Stadium, then winning the Tantalos Tournament with wins over Mahopac and Fox Lane. The Rams ripped Ramapo, 19- 4, Monday on the road.

Carmel opened the tournament by taking its third consecutive decision over Mahopac - this time a 2-0 decision. The Rams disposed of Fox Lane in the title tilt by a 4-1 count. Mahopac went on to drop a 6-4 decision to John Jay in the consolation round.

Monday at Ramapo, Carmel's Zack Graczyk picked up his third win of the season, against one loss. Graczyk also had a big day at the plate, going 4-for-4 with three RBI. Jeremy Lovera was 4-for-4 with one RBI, Colin Burns had two RBI and Nick Denapoli drove in two runs, as Carmel improved to 11-6.

At the Tantalos Tournament, Carmel got another sparkling effort from Mike Volpe, who has recorded all three wins vs. Mahopac this season. Volpe tossed a five-hit shutout and fanned six, after he one-hit the Indians in their last meeting. Chris Erker took the loss for the 'Pac, giving up just two hits.

Carmel's Mike Rooney drove in one run on a suicide squeeze, and Graczyk tripled, then scored on a wild pitch. Burns also doubled in the win. .

Jake Bell gave the Rams another solid effort on the mound in the championship round, allowing just one run on three hits in beating the Foxes. Graczyk picked up a save. Rob Scott took the loss.

Burns had two RBI for the Rams, Graczyk went 3-for-4 with an RBI and three stolen bases, and Ryan Shilling doubled and had one RBI.

Ian Anderson took his turn picking up his team last Friday night at Dutchess Stadium, chucking a complete-game one-hitter with four strikeouts. Tyler Stroud took the loss.

Shilling had three RBI, Burns had two doubles and one RBI, Graczyk was 2-for-3 with three RBI and a triple, and Jared Shoemaker and Volpe each had an RBI.

Two nights earlier at Carmel, RCK led 6-2 before the Rams rallied in the bottom of the sixth to grab a 9-8 lead. But it all went south for Carmel in the top of the seventh, when RCK's Rob Stewart smacked a two-run homer to re-gain the lead and take the win.

Stewart also got the win for Ketcham (9-4), while Justin Christensen took the loss in relief of Graczyk.

Shilling picked up his first varsity home run and drove in three runs, Denapoli had and Volpe each had two RBI, Lovera had two doubles and an RBI and Bret Viola drove in a run.

Mahopac also dropped a 5-3 decision to RCK Monday, with Nick Raptis taking the loss.

Matt Petrone, Joe Abed El Latif and Pat Farina each had one RBI, and Raptis doubled.

"We're just not getting the clutch hits," 'Pac Manager Chris Miller said. "We had opportunities to score, but we came up short. Nick pitched well once he settled in."

Mahopac had a tough sixth inning in the consolation loss to John Jay, giving up three unearned runs in the sixth. "We jumped to an early lead (4-1 after three)," Miller said. "Then we had a rough sixth… that was a heartbreaker."

The prior Wednesday, Mahopac ripped Gorton, 10-0, with Christian Carmody earning the win.

Pat Farina had four RBI and tripled, and Matt Petrone drove in two runs.

The tough stretch left Mahopac at 6-10 overall, 1-8 in league play. As of press time, Mahopac needed two wins in its last four games in order to qualify for the upcoming playoffs.

But it won't be easy - Mahopac plays RCK twice (yesterday and today - Thursday - at RCK), Somers once (Saturday at Mahopac at 11 a.m.) and a hot Arlington team once (Tuesday at Mahopac at 4:30 p.m.).

"We've got to get two wins, then everyone has a clean slate," Miller said. "We can't get swept by RCK… we've got to steal one, then we have two home games and we've got to take one."

But Miller and the Indians know they have no one to blame but themselves for their dire situation. "There were too many games we lost by one run - or where we didn't do what we were supposed to do," Miller said. "If we did that, we wouldn't be in this predicament."

Playoffs are set to open a week from Saturday.