RFH Baseball Bulldogs Win Home Opener

Things were looking pretty grim for the Baseball Bulldogs of Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School when, already behind at the top of the third inning, 2-0, they found themselves in a bases-loaded situation with the Raritan Rockets looking to extend the lead.

But false alarm as the Dogs managed a third out by way of a strikeout to snuff the rally, leaving them a chance to bounce back.

During the next two innings, RFH outscored their opponents by three runs, finding themselves clinging to a one-run lead when they came to bat in the top half of the sixth.

Two outs, bases loaded, with cleanup hitter and Bulldog catcher Danny Miller at the plate.  Miller, one of only a small handful of seniors on this year's team, then belted a shot that sailed straight out to left field and over the fence, a grand-slam home run which pretty much broke the game open, giving the bulldogs a 9-4 lead.

The top half of the seventh, the Rockets last chance to score caused a few fingernails to be bitten as they quickly drilled back to back singles, men on first and second, no outs.

But bulldog closer Liam Ryan then bore down and got what his team needed, the final three outs, stranding the baserunners and giving RFH their first victory of the 2011 campaign and evening up their record at 1-1.

Three days earlier the dogs lost their season opener on Monmouth Regional's home turf. They lost by a margin of 7-1.

"It was a tremendous effort," said ten-year Head Coach Kevin James following the victory.  "I mean, come on, with seven new starters?"  James continued.  "This is a junior-based team, and these guys knew they had to grow up, and they did.  And I can't say enough about the senior leadership on this team."

Coach James and his 'Dogs won't be able to chew on this victory for very long. They will face Matawan on the RFH home field under twenty-four hours later.

"It'll be a challenge," said Coach James about Friday's game. "Everyday's a challenge, but I believe in these guys.  They'll step up again."

The skys and temperature both cooperated for the the contest, evidenced by the good, early-season fan turnout.  The bleachers behind home plate were filled, but there was plenty of room on the surrounding grass for many others, most of whom were comfortably sitting on beach chairs or blankets.

Thomas Pantaleo, a Fair Haven resident, was enjoying the game standing behind his alma mater's dugout.  Pantaleo is a former student of Raritan High and an ex-ballplayer. "My heart's split on this one," he said. "Because I live in Fair Haven, I moved here four and a half years ago and I love it here.  But I still have that Rocket Pride."

Pantaleo relocated to Fair Haven mainly so his two young children could take advantage of the highly reputable Rumson-Fair Haven school system.

"It's a great community, it's awesome living here," he said.  My wife Danielle and myself love it here.  And then I come to these games and it churns up some old memories.  I mean, I actually played on the same team as the current Raritan coach, T.J. O'donnell."

The Friday afternoon forcast predicts a thirty-percent chance of showers for the dog's first pitch against Matawan, so there's a seventy-percent chance that Rumson-Fair Haven Baseball Bulldog fans will be treated to another exciting afternoon of bulldog baseball.  So come on out and support those dogs!