The most recent NFCA coaches’ poll shows the Golden Rams moving up in rankings at No. 12 nationally. They were also ranked first in the NCAA Atlantic Region, ahead of conference rivals, No. 6 Kutztown University and No. 10 Millersville University.
Senior Kat Erb received her second Pitcher of the Week honors this past week. Along with Erb, sophomore Cat Hammer received Co-Athlete of the Week.
The Rams were away all week. In their first match, they traveled to Philadelphia to face the Philadelphia University Rams.
In the first inning with two outs, senior Laura Altenburger singled to second base, scoring the first run of the game.
The Rams shut down the Phila. U. offense and woke their bats up.
With bases loaded in the second, sophomore Madison Kelly singled through the right side, scoring two. Junior Sarah Walasavage then doubled to center field, scoring two more runs for the Rams.
This was not the end of their hitting streak. Altenburger remained hot at the plate. Her second plate appearance resulted in a two-run homer to left.
After a double from freshman Alyssa Herion, the Rams would stop the damage at eight runs.
In game one, the Rams produced 11 hits, scoring seven of their runs in the second inning.
Herion went three for three with one RBI. Hammer and Altenburger each added two hits for the Rams.
Erb only allowed one hit in her five inning shutout. She struck out four of the 16 batters she faced. This improved her record to 8-0.
Amanda Houck started in the circle in the second game for the Rams.
It wasn’t until the third inning that the Rams jumped on the opportunity to score.
Altenburger had an RBI when she walked with bases loaded.
It wasn’t until the fifth inning with bases loaded again that Altenburger was hit by a pitch, scoring one. Herion then singled to left, scoring two. A throwing error would allow the Rams to score one more.
In the seventh, the Rams busted it open, scoring four more runs.
The Rams’ defense was unstoppable.
Sophomores Madison Kelly and Sara Ercolani went two for four and crossed the plate three times for the Rams. They had a combined three RBIs. Walasavage went three for four and added two runs to the victory.
Freshmen Jessica Fyock and Kelly Tinsman, along with sophomore Lauren Scarpato each added key pinch hits.
Sophomore Ashley Flesch would come in in the seventh inning to shut down the offense.
The Rams accumulated six stolen bases in their 11-1 win over Phila. U.
The Rams traveled to East Stroudsburg University to face the Warriors. In game one, Houck was in the circle for the Rams.
In the first, Altenburger walked with bases loaded, scoring one. McSpadden also reached the bases on a fielders choice, scoring the second run of the game.
The Warriors were quick to cut the lead in half when a runner scored on a fielders choice.
The game remained at 2-1 until the sixth inning.
Kelly lead the inning off with a bunt. Walasavage then singled to left, advancing Kelly to second.
Ercolani came up with with an RBI double. Altenburger then walked. Hammer also walked, scoring one. The next batter was hit by pitch, scoring one.
Herion then hit a sac fly to right field, scoring another run for the Rams. Sophomore Haley Taylor, who was pinch running for Hammer, scored on a wild pitch.
The Rams came out of the sixth inning leading 7-1, scoring five off of three hits. The Rams would score three more in the seventh to end the game with a final score of 10-1.
Houck improved to 14-2 on the season.
In the second game for the Rams, Erb was on the mound.
At the start of the second inning, McSpadden and Herion had back- to-back doubles. Junior Monica Twardowski then singled, scoring Herion.
The score remained at 2-0 until the sixth inning when Hammer lead the inning off with a single. Junior Shannon Gray would pinch run for Hammer and steal her way to second base.
McSpadden then blasted her second hit of the game.
With runners on second and third, Herion smashed a two-run triple.
After a few more hits, Walasavage singled up the middle to score yet another run for the Rams.
Erb was an unstoppable force on the mound for the Rams. She allowed only five hits and three walks while striking out three.
McSpadden and Herion each added three hits while Walasavage and Twardowski added two.
The Rams would end their 19 game winning streak against Millersville.
Game one was scoreless until the bottom of the seventh. The Maruaders had a walk off hit to right field, scoring the runner on second and ending the game with a score of 1-0.
In the second game, the Rams fell to Millersville with a final score of 3-1.
The Rams wrap up their season this week facing Bowie State University, Sunday, April 17, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The Rams come home on Tuesday, April 19 and Friday, April 22. On Tuesday they face GoldeyBeacom and Shippensburg on Friday. Both doubleheaders beginning at 2:30 p.m. They are away again on Wednesday, at Shepard University at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The Rams wrap up their season, away at Kutztown starting at 1 p.m.
Monica Twardowski is a second-year student. Contact her at MT814571@wcupa.edu