As spring approaches, hope is renewed that the Rams mens' baseball team will turn the program around and reach the playoffs.

“We’re going to come out shooting with every gun we have,” starting pitcher Korri Kamaka said.

Head coach John Vanoncini expects returning sophomores Kamaka, Sean Calvello and Travis Gonzaga to lead this young team. They are the only returning players in a squad of over a dozen freshmen. The trio embraces their leadership roles.

“We’re walking these guys through it,”  centerfielder Calvello said. “We got young guys, but we can ball.”

The biggest challenge for the freshmen will be adapting to the lengthy 44-game season. Vanoncini is confident his players will adjust and succeed.

“The key is to continue working hard,” he said. “The challenge is to stay focused for 44 games.”

Although primarily young, there is an array of talented hitters on the club who are physically and mentally prepared. They also possess a solid defense, especially the mid-infield, which is patrolled by second baseman Ryan Silver and shortstop Andrew Ontai.

“Our mid-infield is strong…It’s one of the best I’ve had,” Vanoncini said.

He is also expecting a big year from his two pitchers, Kamaka and Mike Hendrickson.

“Those will be our top two guys on the hill,” Vanoncini said.

Kamaka towers over the opposition at 6’4," and 225 lbs. His game plan includes pitching for the defensive out as opposed to pitching for the strikeout. He has a pitch repertoire that includes an intimidating slider.

“Its pretty nasty,” Calvello said.

One thing the team doesn’t need to worry about is chemistry. Many of the players are locals who grew up together. There is also a set of brothers on the team, Florentino and Lorenzo Ubungen. If that weren’t enough, seven of the players have landed here by way of Hawaii. The camaraderie among these players is very deep.

“They’re fighting for each other,” Vanoncini said. “It’s a tight knit group.”

Last season the Rams endured many late-inning losses. They lost 10 games when they were either tied or ahead going into the ninth. But, the team looks to turn that around this year by playing smart baseball.

“Its all about the head,” Kamaka said. “We’re going to be mentally prepared and smart. That’s how we’re going to beat people.”

The team’s goal is to reach the playoffs with hard work and mental preparedness. They feel they have the talent and hunger to get there.           

“We’re going to come out swinging,” Calvello said. “The team is going to step up.”

E-mail:sports@theguardsman.com

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RAMS OUST OWLS FOR FIFTH CONFERENCE VICTORY

BY LARRY SIMPSON
EDITOR

Ron Manigault directed the Rams' offense as point guard. ANNE-MARIE STARK / GUARDSMAN

The Rams men's basketball team achieved a seemingly effortless victory over the Foothill Owls on Fri., Jan.19.  With this victory the team retains its undefeated status in the North-Coast Division of the JCC Conference.  By the time the final shot set the score at 67-37, the City College squad was only cementing the lead it gained with the first basket of the game.

“We simply out-matched them tonight” head coach Justin Labagh said shortly after the game.  “Our personnel was better than their personnel.  This is a game we were supposed to win.”

With captain Ron Manigult playing point guard, a switch from playing power forward last year, the Rams were able to dominate the Owls at both ends of the court.  Though Manigult himself was scoreless, he was nonetheless confident in the performance of the team as a whole.

Early on in the game, guard Marcio Lassiter sank three consecutive three pointers, and drove home a lay-up, giving the Rams a 14-5 lead.  Owl’s coach Shanan Rosenberg could be heard screaming from the benches, “We talked about him!”

The damage could not be undone, though the Owl’s were able to contain Lassiter’s scoring capabilities for the remainder of the first half. Guard Justin Holmes and forward Patrick Dreith were able to pick up the slack finding scoring opportunities.

The Rams responded by paralyzing the Owls’ scoring capability with an amazingly precise defensive strategy.  With Manigault leading the team in defensive rebounds in the half, and guard David Owens forcing three turnovers in quick succession, they were able to create opportunities to increase their lead.  By the end of the first half, the Rams had a convincing 33-16 lead over its rival.

The second half followed the trend the Rams had established in the first. The Owls showed quickness, and at times impressive ball movement, but repeatedly failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities. The Rams never allowed its rival to come within twenty points. The frustrated Owls also made costly travel violations, dampening any attempt they would make to try to gain momentum.

Labagh was grateful for the victory, and for his team’s ability to remain undefeated in the JCC Conference, but immediately sets his sights on the challenges before him. The next two games, against Ohlone and Chabot College respectively he said, would be the real test of the Rams’ capability.

“We’re number one now,” Labagh said, “but by next week we could be in last place.”

E-mail: a_e@theguardsman.com

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