Boys Baseball has seen an up-and-down 2025 campaign so far this month, but the boys are looking to end the season strong. After facing some tough opponents earlier in the season, the Rams have settled in and strung together a 2-1 record since suffering defeat in the Morris County Tournament (MTC) on May 2. Here’s a round-up of game results from the MTC tourney loss through the most recent win against Roxbury on Thursday, May 16.
Friday, May 2: Randolph Falls Short in Morris County Tournament Thriller Against Morristown, 5-3
In a tightly contested first-round matchup of the MCT, No. 7 seed Randolph came up short against No. 10 seed Morristown, falling 5-3, on Friday May 2, despite a late rally.
The Rams entered the game looking to ride the momentum of their 4-3 preliminary-round win over Kinnelon, a game highlighted by a three-run home run from junior Chase Lorent on April 25.
Sophomore Matthew Paladino got the start on the mound for Randolph. “This was a team I was familiar with from playing against them when I was younger, so I knew if my pitches were good, I would be able to compete,” Paladino said.
Morristown struck early, opening the game with a leadoff double. After a sacrifice bunt moved the runner over, the Colonials brought him home on a sacrifice fly to take a 1-0 lead. Randolph threatened in the bottom half with a leadoff double by junior Mason Wilson but failed to convert.
The Colonials loaded the bases in the third, but junior left fielder Sal Midolo helped the Rams escape unscathed with a strong throw to home plate. Midolo, who had already driven in a run earlier, continued to shine defensively in the fourth inning. With one out and a runner on third, he made a diving catch and doubled off the runner to end the threat.
Randolph had runners in scoring position in both the third and sixth innings but couldn’t capitalize. “I feel it shifted the confidence in everyone on the team,” Midolo said. “We were off to a slow start, but I knew as a group we needed to keep the pressure on Morristown.”
The Rams turned to the bullpen in the seventh, bringing in junior Eli Kahn before senior Adam Sokolowskicame on in relief. However, the Colonials tackled on three insurance runs to take a 5-0 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh.
Paladino finished with a strong line: 6.1 innings pitched, one earned run on four hits with no walks.
Senior AJ Terry led off the final frame with a solo home run to give Randolph life. After two walks and a single loaded the bases, junior Matthew Bruun’s sacrifice fly cut the deficit to 5-2. Senior Griffin Carroll followed with an RBI double to bring the tying run to the plate.
“Going into that at-bat I was really looking to extend the inning and keep the comeback alive,” Carroll said.
The rally ultimately fell short, and the Rams were eliminated from the county tournament in a hard-fought 5-3 loss.
Wednesday, May 7: Randolph wins @ Mount Olive 6-0
Randolph quickly bounced back five days later on Wednesday, May 7, in an away matchup against Mount Olive. Lorent delivered a game-changing moment with a grand slam, continuing his hot streak at the plate. On the mound, Sokolowski turned in a dominant performance, pitching a complete game while allowing only four hits and striking out three. The Rams controlled the game from start to finish, showcasing both offensive firepower and solid pitching.
Monday, May 12: Randolph loses to Roxbury 1-0
Randolph couldn’t get the bats going five days later on Monday, May 12, in an inter-division matchup where the Rams hosted the Roxbury Gaels. The Rams pitching staff came to play, as they only allowed one run off the back of seniors Gavin Carlucci and Sokolowksi, who continued their strong season. But the Rams’ bats cooled off from their six-run affair last week, as they only had four hits and couldn’t get a run as the Rams fell 1-0.
Thursday, May 16: Randolph wins @ Roxbury 7-2
Randolph bounced back just three days later on Thursday, May 16, with a five-run victory over the Gaels. The Rams found themselves in an early hole down 1-0 through two frames but the offense exploded in the third inning for seven runs. The inning was highlighted by a two-run double by Wilson; Carrol went 2-4 and drove in two runs. The Rams got the win, but it wouldn’t have been without a complete game from Paladino who lowered his season ERA to 2.60.
The Rams will look to keep their bats hot @ Knolls on Monday, May 19.
