Rams’ hot bats belt Mustangs

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Andy Xapsos delivers a pitch for Roy-Hart during the Rams victory over the Mustangs this afternoon at Vets Park.

Exploding for seven runs on seven hits in the third inning, Roy-Hart went on to defeat Medina 14-3 this afternoon in a Niagara-Orleans League baseball game at Vets Park.

In all, Roy-Hart pounded out a total of 18 hits as the Rams rebounded strongly from a 10-6 N-O loss at Akron earlier in the day.

Winning pitcher Andy Xapsos helped himself at the plate by banging out four hits, including a triple and home run, to spearhead the attack for Roy-Hart. Andy Jacobs, CJ Fitch and Austin Heschke each added thee hits and Justin Heschke two for the Rams. Josh Baptiste also chipped in with a triple and John O’Brien a double.

On the mound, Xapsos allowed five hits and struck out six in six innings of work.

Sam Crowley had two singles and Jason Hellwig and Brennan Zinkievich each had a double for Medina which didn’t get a hit until the fifth frame.

Breaking away from a scoreless deadlock, Roy-Hart took charge in the decisive third inning which featured a two-run triple by Baptiste and RBI singles by Xapsos, Jacobs, Austin Heschke and Justin Heschke. A lead off double by O’Brien and a bunt single by Evan Conley ignited the uprising.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – CJ Fitch dives safely into home plate as Medina catcher Justin Morgan tries to make the tag.

The Rams later had a big four run fifth inning as Xapsos hit a solo home run and Austin Heschke and Justin Heschke both had RBI singles.

Austin Hescke also had a two-run single in the sixth inning.

Roy-Hart and Medina are now both 1-1 in N-O action.

Akron 10, Roy-Hart 6
Winning pitcher Tommy James had three hits and Connor Riggs two to lead Akron to a 10-6 victory over Roy-Hart.

On the mound, James struck out five in the Tigers N-O opener.

Xapsos had two hits for Roy-Hart.