Golden Rams Off To Strong Start

John Carroll Senior Austin Nirenburg
packs a big punch in a small package.

The John Carroll Golden Rams Baseball Team finished the pre-season looking strong enough to make another deep run into the playoffs, and perhaps a return trip to the Final Four in Fort Myers where their season ended last year. Although the Golden Rams graduated six, including Chase Solosky, the area’s top pitching prospect, and lost their coach to cross town rival St. Andrews, they return a seasoned crew ready to pick things up where they left off last year.

New Coach Dan Taylor, who relocated to the area from North Carolina after being recruited by first year Athletic Director Dave Raym, is sure to bring out the hidden talent in Austin Nirenburg, Joey LeClaire, Michael Pederson and Joshua Harrell, four of the teams Seniors who were on last year’s Regional Championship Squad. Add in Juniors Justin O’Leary and Andrew Borque along with Sophomores Drew Hicks and Michael LaRocca and the team has eight players who were an instrumental part of last year’s championship run.

At the plate Nirenberg has been perfect this preseason going four for four with four RBI’s and stealing one half of the teams total stolen bases, while O’Leary and LaRocca account for the other half. Pederson has also gone four for four this preseason, scoring three runs an RBI and a stand-up triple, while LaClaire has gone three for three at the plate with two runs and an RBI.  The 6’1 LaRocca has also been strong at the plate going three for four, scoring two runs, and two RBI’s with a single, double and a stand-up triple.

Although pitching isn’t the luxury it was last year, the Golden Rams have a rich history of developing strong pitchers, including first round MLB draft pick Colton Willims a few years back. This seasons flame throwers have already recorded a combined 15 strike outs, while allowing only two walks, three hits and two runs. A core of five seasoned pitchers should rotate starts, while four additional pitchers will be available for relief work and to step in in case of injury.

Nirenberg has the most “big game” experience as he closed out the Regional Championship Game last spring. Junior Brian Jacobus, who leads the team in strike outs thus far and has not allowed a hit in the preseason along with Senior Josh Harrell, who has five of the teams 15 strike outs and has allowed only one hit, along with fellow Senior Hiram Garland will get plenty of innings once the season starts. Senior LeClaire and Sophomore LaRocca, the team’s sole southpaw pitcher) will surely add some spice on the mound as well.

John Carroll opened their season with a decisive 9-2 district victory over Jupiter Christian on Monday 2-20.