Junior Varsity Baseball vs Choate Rosemary Hall

Score/Result: 9-5 L

WALLINGFORD, CT - 

The Taft Rhinos traveled to Wallingford to take on the Wild Boars of Choate in a rare Friday afternoon game. The weather was threatening and rain was imminent, but we were able to squeeze in an exciting 7 innings. Brian Tomasco '16 took the mound for his first start of the season and came out firing from the first pitch. Tomasco only faced 10 batters through the first three innings with a strong fastball and dizzying knuckleball. Cam Carlson '16 lead off the first inning with a single and scored on an RBI single by Tristan Smith '14. The Rhinos then loaded the bases on a few walks by the Choate pitcher, but were unable to capitalize and stranded all three runners. Carlson scored again in the 3rd inning to stake Taft to a 2-0 lead after 3 innings. 

Choate battled back and scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 4th inning to tie the game at 2-2. Evan Lehner '16 and Ege Ercan '16 scored in the top of the 5th inning (Cashen Keeler '16 picking up an RBI single) to put Taft back on top 4-2. Unfortunately the Rhinos once again left the bases loaded and left the door open for Choate. The Wild Boars scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 5th inning to tie the game 4-4, as Tomasco began to tire and reached his pitch limit. It was a gutsy effort and strong 5 innings pitched by Tomasco.

The Choate pitcher set down the Taft bats in order in the top of the 6th inning and Ryan Parcells '16 relieved Tomasco in the bottom of the 6th. Unfortunately a few errors, walks and key hits doomed the Rhinos on this day and Choate scored 5 runs to take the lead 9-4. Parcells battled and settled down to strike out all three Choate batters to end the inning. The Rhinos scored one run in the 7th inning, but ultimately lost this contest 9-4. It was neck and neck the entire game and the JV Baseball team should be proud of their effort. We look to rebound against Westminster tomorrow at home!