The Randolph Rams Baseball team has battled through a rollercoaster ride during the first half of the 2025 season. The team has faced off against top programs in the state while stringing together competitive outings, standout individual performances, a Morris County Tournament (MCT) win in the preliminary round, but most recently, a first-round MTC loss to Morristown 5-3 on Friday, May 2. At press time, the season record for the team was 6-11.
The season’s journey began on Friday, April 4 with a statement performance against No. 2 seed Don Bosco Prep. Despite ultimately falling 6-2 in extra innings, Randolph showed grit and maturity in one of its most impressive games of the year. Sophomore pitcher Matthew Paladino turned in a gutsy seven-inning start, allowing just five hits while striking out three. Junior Chase Lorent sparked the offense, going 3-for-4 with two singles and a double. The Rams tied the game in the seventh before Don Bosco pulled away in the eighth.
“In the 7th inning, everything kind of slowed down for me,” Paladino said. “I wasn’t focused on their name or their reputation; I was focused on executing, pitch by pitch.”
Senior AJ Terry added, “We tried to focus on the aspects of the game we were struggling with during practice to try and bring everything together.”
The team faced another powerhouse the following day, Friday, April 5, against Seton Hall Prep. Randolph fell 13-3 in the non-conference contest. Senior pitcher Adam Sokolowski got the start before junior Eli Kahn came in for relief. Terry provided a bright spot at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double.
Back-to-back games against Pope John XXIII followed. On Monday, April 8, senior pitcher Andrew Dobres delivered a quality start on the road, giving up three runs over six innings with five strikeouts in a 3-0 loss. The next day, Randolph hosted Pope John and fell 10-6 in a high-scoring contest.
Randolph then built momentum with a two-game sweep of Mendham. On Monday, April 14, the Rams earned a 4-2 home win behind strong pitching from Dobres and Sokolowski. Lorent led the charge offensively, going 3-for-3 with a double. Junior Joey Bosotina, Terry and freshman Andrew Swanick also contributed doubles.
Two days later, on Wednesday, April 16, Randolph pulled off a dramatic, 7-6 extra-inning win at Mendham. Senior Gavin Carlucci, Kahn and Sokolowski combined on the mound, with Sokolowski earning the win in relief.
The Rams’ progress was tested in a tough two-game series against Delbarton. On Monday, April 21, Randolph traveled to face the Green Wave and suffered a 14-0 loss. Two days later, on Wednesday, April 23, the Rams hosted Delbarton and delivered a more competitive effort. Carlucci started and allowed just two earned runs over 5.1 innings, finishing with a 2.62 ERA, but Randolph ultimately fell short.
In a key turning point of the season, Randolph opened the MCT with a gritty 4-3 win in the preliminary round over Kinnelon on Friday, April 25. Down late, Lorent provided the biggest swing of the season, blasting a three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to propel the Rams into the next round.
The celebration was short-lived, as Randolph struggled in its next two games. On Monday, April 28, the Rams traveled to Mount Olive and lost 7-1. They then returned home on Wednesday, April 30, to face Pequannock but were unable to bounce back, falling 7-2.
As of the season midpoint, Randolph stood with a mix of notable wins and hard-fought losses, reflecting a team that is still finding its rhythm but showing flashes of potential. With key contributors like Lorent, Carlucci, Dobres and Terry leading the way, the Rams remained determined heading into the crucial final weeks of the season.
The Rams are scheduled to play @ West Essex next, on Saturday, May 10.
