Lafayette Baseball Recap

As the school year nears it’s end, high school sports playoffs also come with it. With the season winding down, Lafayette Baseball continues it’s winning streak and playoff pursuit.

The skill of this team was evident from the start, with the combination of upperclassmen with experience, and young talent. Only losing two seniors to graduation from last year’s team, the team of returners, and draws on performances from five veteran seniors – Blake Townsend, Kevin Cole, Luke Hanson, Price Whitaker, and Tristan Hiestand. Talent from the sophomore class also brings some offensive ability from players such as Austen Townsend, Elijah Matthews, and C.J Buchan. Combined with an overall solid team bond, things are looking up for the finale of the season.

Looking at the past couple of seasons, its no surprise the the team is having a solid year. In the year of 2019, the Rams finished the regular season with a record of 13-7, and got the fifth seed in the playoff bracket. The team would then go on to have two straight wins over Wilson, and an upset over top seeded Grafton high school to secure a spot in both the regional championship and state quarterfinal. The team then travelled to Great Bridge for the regional championship. After a close back and forth game, and a great pitching performance by Drew Ramos, the team won the regional championship. They would then go on to win in the state quarterfinals and semifinals. Then, on June 18th, the Rams would beat Riverside by walk-off error to win their second state championship, 8-7. The Rams would follow with a similar season in 2021, after the 2020 year was cancelled. Finishing with a 9-2 record, 2021’s team would be handed the regional number one seed and secure a home bid for the playoffs. After mercy  ruling Hopewell 13-3, the team would face their rival Tabb in a night game. The game would stretch for seven innings and would only end after a walk – off single to win the game, and move on the the regional championship against Colonial Heights. The Rams would go on to win that game 3-1. The end of the season would then come as the team lost to state champ Independence the game after.

In 2022, the start of the season looked strong for the Rams. Going 5-0 with a walk-off thriller vs rival Tabb, things were looking up. However, losses to New Kent and Smithfield would leave the Rams with two loses entering spring break. Coming out, the Rams went 2-2, picking up a two loss week against Poquoson and Warhill. With a current record of 12-4, the Rams are currently on a hot streak. In the last three weeks, the team has only allowed three runs while beating tough opponents Grafton, Tabb, and current first place holder New Kent. We asked current sophomore on the team, Josh Sims, on his thoughts about the year so far: “Its going pretty solid, fantastically, crazy lit movie.” We also asked Josh about his expectations for the playoffs and future of the team: “I like our chances, we are better than everyone else.” Teammate Noah Amor agreed. We asked Amor about his experience as a player: “It’s been a blast so far” he said, “This is my last year so I’m trying to have a lot of fun”.