Ramirez Leads Valiant Cardinals Effort

The CCBC Catonsville Cardinals came agonizingly close to victory on Thursday, February 23, falling to Daytona State 8-2.

Despite the final score, the Cardinals played a tight game, not letting the Falcons pull too far ahead. Led by a strong individual performance from sophomore outfielder Angelo Ramirez (North Atlanta), the Cardinals trailed by one until the bottom of the sixth when they allowed five unanswered runs.

Ramirez set the tone for the game by singling to start the contest, then stealing second base. It was the Falcons who scored first in the bottom of the second with an RBI double, taking a 1-0 lead. After two scoreless innings, the Falcons extended their lead to 3-0 after a two-run home run.

Catonsville finally scored in the top of the fourth. Sophomore outfielder Wyatt Moore (West Orange) singled, advanced to second thanks to a ground out, then scored off an RBI single by sophomore catcher Tony D'Angeli (Atholton). Trailing 3-1, the Cardinals got within a point when Ramirez homered in the top of the sixth.

Unfortunately for the Cardinals, the bottom of the sixth saw five unanswered runs by the Falcons. Trailing 8-2, the Cardinals needed a miracle in the top of the seventh but got trapped in a double play that ended the game.

Ramirez ended the contest with three hits, one RBI, one home run, and a stolen base. D'Angeli had an RBI along with two hits, while pitcher Patrick Bauer (Mt. St. Joseph) recorded four strike outs.