Newport Rams are relishing the role of party poopers in Baseball Victoria summer league division 1.
Despite being one of the hottest teams in the past month, the Rams will not feature in finals in their promotion season, but are hell-bent on having a say over which of their rivals will feature in the March madness
The Rams extended their unbeaten run to five games by throwing a spanner in the works of Cheltenham’s finals aspirations at KC White Reserve on Saturday.
Rams assistant coach Gavin Young reiterated that his side was one of the tightest in the top division.
“I sound like a broken record at the moment, but it has been a very good team performance over the past few weeks and today was another one of those days,” he said.
“Everyone is chipping in. It’s the old cliche that a champion team will beat a team of champions.”
Seven of the Rams’ nine players picked up hits in the 6-3 win.
Dean Anglin led the way again, equalling his season-best three hits with two RBIs. Anglin has had a hit in 10 of his past 11 games, including nine in his past five.
Matthew Lawman picked up three RBIs.
“There was some good team hitting by everyone involved,” Young said. “We capitalised on our opportunities.”
The Rams’ pitching and defence was again outstanding. They have not conceded more than four runs in a single game since the turn of the new year.
Travis Bass is a major reason why the Rams are at their stingiest best. The US import pitched six solid innings to give up four hits and four walks and left the game with the lead at 3-2.
The Rams turned to reliever Jeremy Young and he maintained the high standards that saw him pick up the win in a mid-week game against Geelong.
“He is somebody who is developing really well in a closing role for us this year,” Young said. “He’s a real gamer and just goes up there and gives it everything he’s got.”
The Rams will face Melbourne on the road in the last game of the season on Saturday.
