No. 7 John Carroll Avoids Upset With Late Rally

John Carroll avoided the upset bid of Schoolhouse Prep on Wednesday in a regional quarterfinals playoff game at Lawnwood Baseball Complex in Fort Pierce.

Ranked #7 in Palm Beach, the Rams (17-10) rallied from a 3-1 deficit to eventually take the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth inning. It was a two-run rally that erased Schoolhouse’s 3-2 lead.

“It was a tight game, very well played on both sides,” said John Carroll manager Dave Parra. “Now we get to host against Trinity Catholic. They are on fire and we look forward to seeing them here on Saturday night.”

Colt Miller tied the game, 3-3, for John Carroll in the bottom of the sixth inning with an RBI-single, bringing home courtesy runner Alex Workman, before Ayson McIntosh drew a two-out, bases-loaded walk to force in Aiden Levy with the go-ahead run.

Schoolhouse scored single runs in each of the first three innings to take a 3-1 lead. The Wolfpack (8-10-1) took a 1-0 in their initial bat. A two-out single by Angel Arjona-Saenz followed by a Victor Lopez double produced the game’s first run.

The Rams tied it in the bottom of the first on a single by Ryan Cook that scored Taggert Cameron.

A two-out single by Francisco Pichardo plated Nathan Castillo with the go-ahead run for Schoolhouse an inning later. The Wolfpack made it 3-1 with two outs in the third when Arjona-Saenz scored on an error.

The Rams tightened the game to 3-2 in the fourth when with two outs, Grady Messner drew a bases-loaded walk. Cook scored to make it a one-run game.

It was incredible relief work from Cameron that allowed for the Rams’ comeback. The junior right-hander worked the final four innings of no-hit ball. He struck out six and walked just one to pick up the win.

“Taggert pitched tremendous,” Parra said. “He shut the door. Taggert put the team on his back said follow me.”

Brennan Jones and Colt Miller had two of John Carroll’s three hits in the game.

A trio of Wolfpack pitchers kept John Carroll in check throughout most of the evening, yielding just three hits between them. Budy Ramon went the first 3.2 innings yielding just two hits and two runs. He walked three and did not record a strikeout.

Dylan He tossed two innings for Schoolhouse and struck out three. He gave up just one hit and one walk. Then Hector Noriega finished up, getting the final out on a strikeout.

“We scored a run in the first inning and then grinded it out” Parra said. “Schoolhouse threw some really good arms at us.”

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