Another loss to WM puts Rams into must-win mode

By DEAN DELLAMALVA JR.

MVI Sports

Senior recognition did not go the way it was planned for the Ringgold baseball team.

Section champ West Mifflin got things going in the second inning with some small ball and beat the Rams, 11-3, Tuesday at Ken Griffey Sr. Field.

The Titans stole eight bases including home on one occasion.

Complicating the situation for Ringgold (8-8, 3-7) was the loss of third baseman Gianni Cantini. Cantini fractured his wrist in the loss to West Mifflin on Monday.

“You have to give them credit, they do a lot of small things well,” said Rams coach Don Roberts. “They run the bases excellent and they bunt well. We lost our third baseman for the year yesterday. Playing a team like (West Mifflin) when that happens, it was really tough for us today.”

Replacing Cantini in the hot corner was Chad Behrendt, who was formidable at the plate. However, two errors on the field extended the innings and helped the Titans (11-4, 10-1) take the section crown for themselves. 

“We weren’t pleased with the possibility of having to share the section with somebody,” said West Mifflin coach Jeff Kuzma. “I told them we needed to be a selfish team today. Eric Link on the mound led us in that direction.”

Link went the distance on the hill and limited the Rams to just eight hits. He struck out eight and walked just one batter.

“That was the best (pitching) outing we have had all year,” Kuzma said. “(Link) pitched with an absolute purpose. It was the want in his heart to get the section title by ourselves.”

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