VIDEO, PHOTO GALLERY: Roach provides relief as LCM rallies past Middle

April 4, 2022

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – In a game that featured a combined 24 walks and hit batsmen and 22 runs and took just a few minutes shy of three hours to complete, it was actually a pitcher who shined the brightest when the high school baseball teams from Lower Cape May and Middle Township met Monday afternoon.
Senior John Roach tossed four brilliant innings of relief pitching to help Lower Cape May come back from a 6-1 deficit after the first inning to post a 12-10 victory over its biggest rival.

Roach’s final pitching line showed he permitted four earned runs, but three of them came in the seventh inning, his fifth, after he clearly tired and walked the bases loaded with no outs. Evan Shoffler came on in relief and closed the game by inducing a fielder’s choice ground ball to third base as Middle stranded three after having scored three runs in the final frame.

“Obviously, being down 6-1, that’s a big hole to climb out of,” Lower coach Ryan Slaney said. “(Starting pitcher) Hunter Ray wasn’t feeling it today and we needed a lift. I know John was amped up all day for this game, even today in school because he visited my classroom about four times and it was all he could talk about. I just wanted to ride his energy. His energy was infectious and him coming in and shutting them down was huge for us.”

Roach also had a nice day at the plate, going 2 for 3 with a double, a walk, two RBI and a run scored. Jake Kronemeyer also had two hits, Evan Shoffler had a hit and three RBI and Evan Golden had a hit and three runs scored for Lower (1-1).

The Tigers were also helped by 11 walks and five hit batsmen by Middle pitching.

After Middle took its 6-1 lead following the first inning, Lower rallied for four runs in the second, six in the third and one in the fourth.

“We got down early and when that happens you can’t get deflated and pack it in,” Slaney said. “That’s what happened to us Friday against EHT (in a 13-1 loss) and you can’t do that. Today we turned the page and stayed in the game.”

Ben Harris went 2 for 3 with a triple and two runs scored, Owen Hall went 2 for 3 with three runs scored and Frankie Castellano went 2 for 3 with a two-run double for Middle (0-2). Matt Barcas added a hit and two RBI. Barcas also tossed 3 ⅓ scoreless innings in relief.

Lower Cape May's Hunter Ray delivers a pitch in the first inning.
Middle Township's Owen Hall slides safely into third base as Lower Cape May's Jake Kronemeyer fields a throw.
Middle Township's Nick Jamison slides safely into home as Lower Cape May catcher Kody Lewis retrieves the loose baseball and Lower pitcher Hunter Ray covers the plate.
Lower Cape May's John Roach delivers a pitch in the first inning.
Middle Township's Matt Barcas dives toward home plate as Lower Cape May catcher Kody Lewis handles a low throw. Barcas was out on the play.
Middle Township's Ben Harris fires a pitch in the first inning.
Lower Cape May coach Ryan Slaney discusses strategy with his baserunners and batter during a pitching change.
Middle Township's Owen Hall chases Lower Cape May's Matt DiCave during a rundown.
Lower Cape May's Evan Shoffler slides safely into home as Middle Township catcher Ryan Gallagher awaits a throw.
Middle Township's Nick Jamison fields a ground ball at second base.
Middle Township's Adam Radzieta winds up to pitch.
Middle Township's Tyler McDevitt throws to first base after fielding a bunt.
Lower Cape May's Evan Shoffler flips to first base for an out after fielding a ground ball.
Lower Cape May's Evan Shoffler tags out Middle Township's Matt Barcas as Lower's Pat West looks on.