South Side had its second straight high-scoring game as the Rams capped a 3-0 week in section play with a 17-7 romp over Beaver Falls.
HOOKSTOWN — The primary goals for a leadoff batter are to work the count and get on base as often as possible.
Following South Side’s 17-7 win over Beaver Falls Friday, Rams catcher Nate Statler might be able to teach master class in how to handle those responsibilities. Statler reached base six times in the win – all on walks – as he patiently waited out Beaver Falls pitchers to earn the free passes.
“I was just trying to be patient at the plate,” Statler said. “I just like to work the pitcher to start the game, give people looks at what his pitches are and what his moves are.”
Statler’s spot at the top of the lineup is relatively new. The junior backstop moved there on Thursday against Mohawk after hitting second all of last year and the first three games of this season.
“We’ve had him in other spots, but this seems to be the best for him,” Head Coach Chip Hunter said, “especially if he’s going to get on six times a game.”
With Statler serving as the spark plug, South Side’s No. 2 and No. 3 hitters went to work. Ethan Woodling and Jake McDougal each drove in five runs as they combined for seven hits.
“They seem to be much better with people in scoring position,” Hunter said. They stay a little more focused and, right now, they’re hot. So we’ll ride that as much as we can.”
It was the second consecutive offensive outburst for the Rams (4-1, 3-1 Section 2-3A). South Side topped Mohawk 15-5 on Thursday and the Rams quickly jumped out to an early 2-0 lead against Beaver Falls Friday. After the Tigers responded with a four-run second inning that was keyed by Ty Garrett’s two-run single, South Side broke open the game with a 10-run bottom of the second. The Rams sent 14 batters to the plate, with the biggest blows coming on a two-run single by Casey Jones and a three-run double by Woodling.
The large cushion allowed South Side to settle in. While Beaver Falls (2-4, 1-3) scored a run in each of the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, the Rams countered in each frame and eventually ended the game via mercy rule with Woodling’s run-scoring single in the bottom of the sixth.
While Hunter admitted some of the offensive outburst may be due to pitch counts and the compact schedule created by inclement weather, he’s seen positive signs that he hopes will continue.
“We’re seeing some things that we’ve been trying to improve on and seeing some adjustments,” Hunter said. “We’re getting better hitting, but I think the pitch count is also starting to take effect.”
With a third of the section schedule gone in just one week, South Side’s three wins in three days could prove pivotal to the Rams’ playoff hopes down the road. That’s especially true with games against Ellwood City and section leaders Avonworth and Riverside looming next week.
“The section is a grind. Any team can beat anyone,” Statler said. “We just want to carry what we had this week into next week, keep moving forward and improving.”