Published: November 20, 2008

FCLC—The Fordham College at Lincoln Center’s (FCLC) intramural softball team Jean-Claude Ram Van (JCRV) pulled off its second consecutive comeback victory against Blaqrobes 12-11 on Nov. 10 by way of a walk-off single from first baseman Erik Thompson, FCLC ’12. The victory puts JCRV in the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

“It was great to see another comeback win,” team captain and pitcher Joe Lynn, FCLC ’09, said. “The team has really been fighting ,and everyone is starting to believe that come playoffs we have just as good a chance as any other team to win it all.”

JCRV was down 11-7 with three outs to go in the last inning of the game. The comeback started with a double by second baseman Mike Ferrer, FCLC ’09. With the score 11-10, third baseman Justin Stark, FCLC ’10, hit a game-tying triple to score shortstop Adam Dexter, FCLC ’10. Stark went 4-for-4 in the game with three triples.

Though the triple in the clutch was impressive, Stark believed it was a result of him getting back into a hitting groove.

“I’m glad I was able to come up big,” Stark said. “I haven’t been swinging the bat as well as I would have liked. I went back to basics and was able to get my swing back.”

Hitting next in the line up, after Stark’s triple, Thompson believed he was swinging a hot bat, too.

“I was hitting the ball well all game long, and I didn’t even know the game was tied until I got up to bat in the final inning,” Thompson said.

Before his last at-bat, the rookie first baseman had a productive night, going 1-for-3 with 2 RBIs, including a sacrifice fly; however, that at-bat proved to be the biggest hit JCRV would get in the game, lining a single to score Stark from third base to win the game.

Even before he swung the bat, Thompson was confident JCRV would win.

“(Justin) Stark got himself to third on a bomb of a triple,” Thompson said. “As soon as I stepped into the box, I knew the game was over. If the game’s in my hands, I’m going to come through.”

The victory clinched JCRV’s spot in the playoffs as the fourth seed in the 6-team playoffs. The victory also secured the team’s first winning season ever, going 4-3.

For the team’s first playoff game, JCRV will be going against a familiar foe, Off Constantly, on Nov. 17. On Nov. 3, JCRV had its first comeback victory against Off Constantly after the team rallied for six runs in the top of the fifth inning to win 12-10.

Despite the earlier victory, the team says its focus is on the next game, regardless of the opponent.

“Of course, I see the team winning a championship, but these things don’t come just by imagining them,” Stark said. “Any team can beat us, and that’s important to keep in mind.”

Stark went on further to say, “Defense wins ball games. Our entire lineup can hit from top to bottom, so the runs will come. It’s just a matter of making the plays and preventing any unearned runs.”

When speaking about the team’s first winning season, Lynn said, “None of that really matters though. All that matters is the championship and proving once and for all that not only do we belong in the league, but that we are the best it has to offer.”