Outstanding autumn weather continues as Teams Black and Cardinal prepare for Game 5 of the Guilford Fall World Series. Team Cardinal holds an insurmountable 3-1 lead in games, but Team Black must embark on a two-game winning streak to earn a tie and avoid taking on double fieldwork jobs in January.
Team Cardinal has allowed only one earned run in the series, and sends freshman sensation Anthony Ramakis to the mound in an attempt to win the series outright. In Game 2, Ramakis struck out nine in a complete game 6-0 white-washing of Team Black. He will be opposed by freshman Joe Dooley, making his first mound appearance of the series. Dooley has seen action as a deisgnated hitter and at third base for Team Black, but has been unused on the hill in the thus far one-sided series.
For Team Cardinal, hitting standout Eric Pelletier returns to the lineup after a one-day hiatus, with a three-game hitting streak on the line. While some of Cardinal's veterans have begun to show signs of life at the plate, rookies Gabe Staub, Steve Danis and Jeremy Brooks have carried the bulk of the load offensively. The trio has had a hand in scoring 12 of their squad's 15 total runs.
On the other hand, Team Black is still waiting for someone to step forward and take the proverbial bull by the horns. Juniors KC Chambers and Kevin Moore seem most likely to play the role, but baserunning mistakes have kept them from mounting anything resembling a big inning.
Keys to victory
Team Black must avoid the key mistakes in every phase of the game that have kept it from winning each of the last three tilts. While there hasn't been much trash talk since Jason Rodriquez' 'sweep' comments following Game 1, team focus has left a bit to be desired. Their short bench should benefit from being the home team in Game 5 as they will not have to provide a base umpire.
Team Cardinal must maintain status quo, continuing to minimize mistakes as their offense begins to gel. It have increased its number of hits in every game, and errors seem to be a thing of the past.
Prognostication
Dooley has the fresher arm, but might he be too strong after a long layoff? Ramakis has seemed the more even-tempered of the two freshmen, but all in all, this game provides an intriguing match of two highly regarded freshman hurlers. Pete says Black can't go scoreless forever, pride takes over and Team Black squeaks out a close one. Call it even, but the knowledgeable fanisn't surprised by Black's 3-2 victory!
