Rams blown out as they lose 8 straight

By Sean Singer
STAFF WRITER

The very first pitch, which was smacked for a triple, epitomized the entire game. The Rams were routed to the tune of 21-3 to the first place West Valley Vikings.

With the loss, which was their eighth straight,  the Rams dropped to 14-19-1 overall, and 6-13 in conference.

Starting pitcher Eric Lara allowed nine earned runs before being pulled in the fourth inning. To Lara’s credit, several plays should have been made by his teammates – an overall sloppy effort by the Rams.

Ronnie Johnson, the next pitcher on the mound, couldn’t stop West Valley’s the hit parade. Johnson allowed another nine runs, seven earned. By the sixth inning, the score was 18-1.

“It was a lackluster effort,” said Barney Evans, starting first baseman. “We’re just digging ourselves a deeper hole.”

The lone bright spot was Nolan Lees, who retired the first five batters he faced in his relief appearance.

“We’re in the toughest conference in Northern California. This season has been a learning experience,” said Rams manager John Vanoncini.

The loss eliminated the Rams from the playoffs. which is the 13 straight year the Rams have missed out on the postseason.

With the Rams out of playoff contention, the team is focusing on remaining competitive and improving for next year.

“I told our guys, now the pressure is off. We just gotta go out and play,” Vanoncini said.