Pitching a driving force for Clarke

Clarke ripped off an 11-game winning streak covering much of its 19-game Nassau Class A baseball schedule, and not surprisingly, the Rams (12-3 overall, 11-3 in Conference A-IV) control their own destiny as far as playoffs and positioning are concerned.

Win two games in the final three-game series against Seaford, and Clarke would capture its eighth consecutive regular season conference title.

The key for the Rams has been a combination of pitching and defense that has limited seven opponents to two runs or a fewer, a blueprint for success at any level on the diamond. “With our pitching staff we just need to hit a little,” coach Tom Abruscato said. “If we hit a little we can go a long way in the playoffs.”

Senior Ray Winans ran his record to a perfect 5-0 in a 5-1 victory over Mineola on April 30, pitching a complete game four-hitter with four strikeouts and just two walks. Senior Joe Rosche had two hits and two runs batted in to support Winans. On the season, Winans has a sparking earned run average of just 0.30 with a pair of 11-strikeout, one-hit games under his belt. “He’s been beyond expectations and come a long way,” Abruscato said. “He’s throwing strikes and only walking two a game.”

Senior Hasan Deljanin has also improved on the mound each week, while sophomore Matt Boyco has poise well beyond what one would expect from a sophomore. Senior Nick Courtney has been flawless out of the bullpen with four saves thanks to a cut fastball that has been difficult for batters to adjust to. His only loss came in a spot start last Friday, a 3-2 battle with Island Trees where he cruised through the first six innings, needing only 42 pitches. The Bulldogs pushed the winning run across in the seventh on an error, hit and a grounder in the hole—all with one out.

“We haven’t had a reliever like him,” Abruscato said. “He’s perfected the cut fastball to the point that it [moves] in and out. It looks like a good pitch to hit when the batter starts his swing.”

While the lineup has had its share of struggles to maintain consistency, the tandem of sophomore EJ Cumbo and senior shortstop Steve Pabon each has an average hovering around the .400 mark. Cumbo has had a big impact for a program that’s normally driven by juniors and seniors at the varsity level. He’s struck out just twice through the first 15 games and has developed into an excellent contact hitter in the leadoff spot. He had three hits in the loss to Island Trees with a pair of doubles and a single and worked out three walks in Winans’ victory over Mineola.

“He’s a very good baseball player and understands the game,” Abruscato said. “He’s far beyond a sophomore as far as understanding the game and his approach.”

The Rams close out the regular season this Friday at home with a makeup game against Island Trees at 4:30 p.m.