Rummel tunes up for playoffs with win over Fisher as team manager gets a hit

METAIRIE – With the playoffs next, Archbishop Rummel wanted to stay sharp while getting valuable playing experience for many players in its season finale Monday at Raider Park against Fisher.

The Raiders were sharp and many players saw the field in a convincing 15-1 win over the Gators in a game shortened to 4 ½ innings by the mercy rule.

Head coach Frank Cazeaux was able to play 22 players including the team manager Alex Ford, also a member of the roster.

Not only did Ford get to the plate with a rousing applause from the Rummel fans on hand, he laced a single to center, bringing about a celebration by his teammates and fans.

“It was really good playing here on campus and we got a lot of guys in the game,” Cazeaux said. “You can’t get them all in. Alex loves baseball. He loves to play and I was excited for him when he got that hit. I’m sure drove his parents crazy, knowing he was going to get to play. I was real happy for him.”

Rummel scored three runs in the bottom of the second inning. Lenny Cline homered to give the Raiders a 1-0 lead. Cline later added a double.

“It feels amazing to end the regular season with a home run and a double,” Cline said. “It’s awesome to play on campus, especially with this group of guys. We have a very good pitching staff, probably one of the best pitching staffs in the state. I think we’re more mature this year going into the playoffs with a lot more experience.”

Tulane signee Giancarlo Arencibia singled and Joel Morange walked. Ian Smith was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Ruben Ramirez drove in a run with a fielder’s choice and a wild pitch plated the third run. Gavin Kennedy produced a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0.

The Raiders added on, scoring three runs in the third. Aiden Gernard walked, Cline doubled and Arencibia doubled both home to make it 6-0. Alex Ford singled and a balk scored Arencibia to make it 7-0.

Rummel made it 15-0 with eight runs in the fourth inning on a two-run double by Gernard doubled before an RBI double by Joel Morange. Andrew Hassinger collected an RBI on a grounder, resulting in an error and Jack Vasterling drove in a run on a fielder’s choice. Dominic Mendieta singled home a run and Jack Hurd doubled home two more runs.

The Gators got their run in the top of the fifth on walks to Gave McDonald and Lance LeBlanc and an RBI single by Jacob Bourgeois.

Ryan Claverie picked up the win, going three scoreless innings, allowing two hits with a walk and six strikeouts. Brandt Frey pitched a scoreless inning and Peyton Spadoni finished up on the mound for Rummel.

Royce Mamolo started and took the loss for the Gators. Evan Phillips and Tyler Mike followed Mamolo to the mound.

Rummel (21-7) finished its regular season with four straight wins. The Raiders look like they will be the third seed in the Select Division I playoffs with a first-round bye.

Fisher (16-7) will be the 12th or 13th seed in the Select Division III playoffs.

“I really like this team,” Cazeaux said. “I think they play well together. Once we start focusing, we’re pretty tough. We’ve got to focus and play the game the right way. I like our pitching. We’ve got a lot of arms. We will get Gavin Nix back for the playoffs and that will help us.”

FINAL
Fisher 000 01 1 3 3, 5 LOB
Rummel 043 8X 15 10 0, 4 LOB
WP—Ryan Claverie (6-1)
LP—Royce Mamolo
Time of Game: 1:32
SB—Ruben Ramirez, Mikey Ryan
2B—Lenny Cline, Giancarlo Arencibia, Aiden Gernard, Joel Morange, Jack Hurd
HR—Lenny Cline (5)