Rams allow four unanswered in loss

By Ashley Chase

MVI Sports

Hitting woes didn’t allow Ringgold to hold an early lead as it suffered a 5-2 loss to the first-place Titans on Monday afternoon at West Mifflin.

The Titans (10-4,  9-1) clinched at least a share of first place in Section 3-4A with Laurel Highlands close behind. Belle Vernon Area sits in third while the loss brings Ringgold (7-8, 3-6) even with Elizabeth Forward in a neck-and-neck race for the fourth and final playoff spot.

The Rams jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. With two runners on, Gianni Cantini hit a chopper right in front of home plate and the catcher’s throw to first went wide, allowing Eli Callaway to race home and score.

West Mifflin answered in the bottom of the second. Derek Kleinhans threw down a bunt with two runners aboard and Corey Kuszaj scored to tie the game at 1-1.

Ringgold came back to snag the lead in the third. Joey Shumaker reached with his second hit of the game. Hunter Mamie ripped a two-out RBI single into center field that brought Shumaker home to give the Rams a 2-1 lead.

Ringgold held the one-run advantage until the bottom of the fourth. 

Cantini, the Rams starter, threw into the fourth, giving up a single, hitting a batter, and surrendering a walk to load the bases. Cantini tossed his third strikeout of the game before Titans leadoff hitter Jake Walker doubled in a pair of runs to give West Mifflin the 3-2 lead. 

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Tuesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.