Published: May 1, 2008

Before the start of Jean-Claude Ram Van’s (JCRV) first playoff game against the Cooters on April 27, third baseman Justin Stark, FCLC ’10, was manning his position when he overheard the other team say: “They are from Lincoln Center, we can’t lose!”

“I knew we had to muscle out a win and show them that there are athletes at Lincoln Center, despite what others may think,” Stark said. “I think we did just that.”

The Fordham College at Lincoln Center’s (FCLC) intramural softball team Jean-Claude Ram Van is headed to the second round of the playoffs after a 7-6 win against the ninth-seeded Cooters.

The win was JCRV’s third straight victory after ending their season with a 9-4 win against the Good Guys on April 20. Their second playoff game will be against first-ranked and undefeated SF Filcon on April 27.

“The team has really pulled together, particularly in the last three games,” said left fielder Michael Silvi, FCLC ’10. “We have been performing well in the field and forcing our opponents to earn each run they put up on the board.”

In the bottom of the fourth inning, the eighth-seeded JCRV showed a power surge with two home runs. Team captain and pitcher Joe Lynn, FCLC ’09, led off the inning with a solo shot, scoring JCRV’s fifth run. With Anthony Bruno, FCLC ’09, on base, Silvi hit a two-run home run, making the score 7-4.

“I knew [the ball was gone] as soon as I hit it,” said Silvi. “I always try to hit the ball hard, and sometimes that works out better than others.”

In the top of the sixth inning, with JCRV leading 7-4, Lynn gave up a walk and a two-run home run to the first two hitters he faced. After the home run, Lynn finished out the game and secured the 7-6 win.

Though JCRV almost lost the lead in the last inning, the team’s goals for their next game are still the same.

“We have to keep getting them out,” Stark said. “We have to limit runs and do our part with the bats. It’s that simple.”

On April 20, JCRV started up the offense by scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. The first run came off of a single by third baseman Justin Stark, FCLC ’10, that scored speedy shortstop Adam Dexter, FCLC ’10, from second base. After JCRV got two men on base, first baseman Bruno cleared the bases with a three-run home run that gave the team a 4-0 lead.

Up to the sixth inning, JCRV were only able to add two runs to their lead on RBI singles from Dexter and left fielder Patrick Wyllie, FCLC ’09. However, despite being a man down in the outfield (3 instead of 4), JCRV’s error-free defense held the Good Guys to three runs and killed a potential rally in the bottom of the fifth inning. With two outs and a man on for the Good Guys, a ball was hit to deep right field. Wyllie fielded the ball and threw it to second baseman, Michael Ferrer, FCLC ’09, who then relayed the ball to catcher Rob Beatson, FCLC ’10. Beatson was able to tag out the runner trying to score.

“Everyone has been playing their position to perfection, and it has made us a better fundamental team,” Bruno said. “We have been having quick innings because of the stellar defense our team has been playing.”

After winning their last three games, JCRV feels confident about their chances against the first-ranked SF Filcon.

“It makes no difference what team we’re playing,” Lynn said. “We’re going to go out, give it our all and take them down. I don’t care if they’re the damn Yankees. We’re going to win that game.”