Published: November 13, 2008

The Fordham College at Lincoln Center’s (FCLC) intramural softball team Jean-Claude Ram Van (JCRV) pulled off a comeback victory against Off Constantly 12-10 on Nov. 3. The victory put JCRV in fourth place in the 11-team league and in control of their playoff destiny.

“It was real nice to see the team bounce back after two tough losses to get us on the brink of the playoffs,” team captain and pitcher Joe Lynn, FCLC ’09, said.

Down by four in the top of the fifth inning, JCRV pull out a 6-run comeback to win the game. JCRV tied the game 10-10 off of outfielder Patrick Wyllie, FCLC ’09, RBI single. The comeback was complete when right fielder Christian Okolski, FCLC ’10, got his fourth RBI of the game with a tie-breaking single to put JCRV up 11-10.

Despite having the game-winning hit and RBI, Okolski chose to remain humble about his accomplishment.

“I was just grateful to be able to give a solid contribution towards the win,” Okolski said. “Every game I play hard and try my best, and it’s always great when the effort translates into production.”

The action started in the bottom of the first inning when Off Constantly took an early lead on a grand slam off Lynn. Off Constantly scored three more unanswered runs in the bottom of the second inning off of a three-run home run by the same hitter who hit the grand slam. After the game, Lynn could only say one thing about the 7-RBI slugger: “He was a beast.”

After scoring two runs in the top of the third, JCRV cut the lead down to one by scoring four runs in the top of the fourth inning, including a three-run home run by Okolski, making the score 7-6. Off Constantly answered back in the bottom half of the inning with three runs. The deficit could have been greater if not for what Lynn deemed the “play of the year”: a running catch from Wyllie in deep left center field.

Aside from Okolski, JCRV also had big offensive performances from second baseman Mike Ferrer, FCLC ’09, who went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and first baseman Erik Thompson, FCLC ’12, who went 3-for-4 with a RBI and two runs.

Though excited about his performance, Thompson continues to expect more from himself every time out.

“If Erik Thompson doesn’t go 5-5 with 5 RBIs, it is a disappointing day,” Thompson said. “I set the bar high for myself to perform and help my team win.”

With the win, the fourth-placed JCRV is 3-3 and leading the runs against with 56 runs. If a team has an equal record, the team that has given up the least amount of runs overall has the higher ranking. Even without a win in their last regular season game, JCRV has a shot for the playoffs. However, Okolski views this win as a springboard to clinch a spot in the playoffs and succeed.

“It would be unrealistic to omit that we have missed several opportunities this season, but I think after last Monday’s big comeback, we’ve finally proven our ability to win under unfavorable circumstances,” Okolski said.

As the team goes into their last regular season game, Thompson offers a two-point plan of success for JCRV’s future.

“As long as we keep the energy up and play teams with unoriginal names, Jean Claude Ram Van is going all the way,” Thompson said.