The Ravens Sweep Their Way Into the Playoffs
The Rosemont Ravens (10-22, 8-7) clinched a United East Skye Division playoff birth by completing a three-game sweep of Valley Forge on Saturday, April 20. Game 1 was taken 6-3 behind a complete game-pitching effort from junior Zach Nutley. Game 2 ended in a 5-3 score, with fellow junior Justin Harrison throwing 5.2 innings in the 9-inning game. Catcher Chris Walton was impressive catching every inning of the three-game set. He threw out two would-be base stealers and allowed only three stolen bases to a team that has swiped over 150 bags on the season.
Head Coach Ross Trachtenberg had this to say about Walton after the games: "What Chris has done this weekend and all season does not show up in the box score. He saves so many free bases between his receiving and blocking skills and his arm has slowed down the running game of our opponents all season."
In Game 1, Nutley scattered 9 hits on the way to his second complete-game victory of the season. Coach Trachtenberg said after Game 1: "Zach was really at his best today. He mixed his pitches and wanted the ball every inning. It was his game to close out in the 7th and he did just that."
The Ravens' offense put up single runs in 6 of the 7 innings. Third baseman Chase Masten had two doubles and two runs scored in the lead-off spot. Walton contributed a double of his own and scored a run as well.
Game 2 was started by sophomore Tim Shell, who went two innings allowing 1 run. Freshman Shane Lennon threw 1.1 innings, striking out 1 before turning the ball over to Harrison in the 4th to eventually close out the 9-inning game. Harrison earned the win, allowing just one hit and one walk over his 5+ innings of work. The defense was strong behind Harrison, including two outfield assists. One came off a flyball to graduate student Dominic Fernicola and the other was a line drive to right field that sophomore Brandon Peake threw to first base for a 9-3 putout.
Coach Trachtenberg stated about Harrison after Game 2: "Justin was terrific today. He has been really good recently, but this was exceptional. He had all of his pitches working and located really well. He pitched ahead and with a great deal of poise and confidence."
Masten collected two more hits in Game 2, with another double and two RBI. Junior second baseman Samson Gerner collected a walk and a hit and scored twice.
With the sweep, the Ravens improved their conference record to 8-7, which is good enough to clinch the program's first playoff birth in its third season. After being doused with a jug of water Trachtenberg stated: "This moment is what Rosemont Baseball is all about. This
celebration is well-deserved for this group of players, many of whom were charter members of our program in the fall of 2021. I am so proud of all 36 guys on our roster."
The Ravens have a pair of non-conference games this coming week on Monday and Wednesday against PSU-Brandywine and at Widerner before continuing with conference play next weekend against Keystone.
