The Old Saybrook baseball team is getting off to a perfect start-literally. Winning their first five games, the Rams have seen a variety of dominant pitching performances, solid defense, and timely and clutch hitting from just about every part of their batting order, plus wire-to-wire victories and exciting come-from-behind storybook gems.

Old Saybrook opened its season by knocking off conference favorite Haddam-Killingworth and their highly-regarded pitching ace Colin Sledzik 4-2, rallying from a 2-0 deficit behind the gritty mound performance of senior Nick DePalermo, who went the seven-inning distance, scattering nine hits while walking only one. Trailing by two runs in the bottom of the fourth with two outs and no one on base, Old Saybrook's Max Alden drew a walk, John McElhone was hit by a pitch, DePalermo reached on an error and scored the first run, and then Steve Carlson scorched an RBI single to center, knotting the score 2-2. After DePalermo got out of trouble in the top of the fifth unscathed, the Rams plated two more in the bottom half of the inning as Justin Beal singled with one out and Joe Ferrantelli drove him in with a double into the left-center field gap. Alden followed with a sharp single to center, scoring Ferrantelli, and the Rams had all they needed. DePalermo tired in the seventh with two on and one out, but the fiery Ferrantelli came in to slam the door shut, striking out two of the next three batters for the save and Old Saybrook had their impressive opening day win. Coach Steve Woods had high praise for his club and especially his pitchers, DePalermo and Ferrantelli, and battery mate Alden.

"These guys really got it today. Nick was dominant, Joe was nasty with a capital 'N', and Max was rock solid behind the plate," he said.

Woods also mentioned the expertise and guidance of new assistant Coach Dan Driscoll with the pitchers and catchers being key in the stellar performances.

"Dan is very knowledgeable about the game and especially in the area of pitching and catching as he was outstanding there in his playing days and has an excellent teaching manner," Woods added.

Old Saybrook traveled to Portland two days later and crafted a workman-like 9-1 win against the Highlanders behind right-handers Ryan Daniels and Alex Cabral. The Rams got three in the second, two in the fourth, one in the fifth, and three in the seventh while allowing only a sole run in the third for Portland. DePalermo led the 14-hit Ram attackm going 3-for-4 with two doubles and a triple and five RBI. Alden and McElhone also went 3-for-4 on the day. Woods stated the importance of Daniels and Cabral to the pitching staff and the team in having options while keeping arms fresh, as well as the Rams' exceptional defense that turned two double plays on the day to end potential rallies by the Highlanders. He also commented on senior first baseman DePalermo's performance.

"Nick is showing every facet of his game early this season with his hitting and defense to go along with his pitching, leadership, and poised demeanor so critical to the team. He can do it all and his hard work is showing the results," he said.

The Rams resorted to high drama for their next victory as they rallied from a 4-2 margin in the bottom of the seventh for a thrilling walk-off win over Valley Regional. The Warriors' Simeon Monroe and the Rams' Justin Beal hooked up in a pitchers' duel for four innings with Valley getting an unearned run for the only run Beal allowed in the contest. The Warriors struck for three runs off the hard-throwing Beal in the fifth on hits from Paul Calimari, Ryan Pomroy, Adam Camilleri, and Randy Schmidt. The Rams came to life in their half of the fifth as Steve Carlson walked to lead off the inning and then Cabral hit into a force play and was run for by Chris Liggio. Mark Rubano reached on an error and the runners aggressively moved up on a bobbled ball by the catcher. After Nick Scott bounced out to the pitcher, Beal laced a triple to deep right-center field, scoring both runners, and the Rams were on the board and had cut the Warrior lead in half. Neither team could muster a run in the sixth as relief pitchers Camilleri (Valley) and Cabral (Old Saybrook) held the score at 4-2. Cabral stopped Valley again in the seventh, setting the stage for the exciting finish. Rubano led off the inning by reaching on an infield error, Scott blooped a single to left, and there were two on with no outs. Beal smacked a single to center, scoring Rubano and making the score 4-3. Ferrantelli hit into a fielder's choice and there were still runners at first and second with one out when catcher Max Alden drilled a shot to right-center for a double, evening the game at 4-4. DePalermo then delivered the game-winning walk-off lined single to left for the 5-4 victory and the celebration was on for the Rams.

"Our intensity, spirit, and enjoyment playing the game together as a team has been huge so far," said Woods after the game. "Joe Ferrantelli has been at the forefront and sets the tone and his fellow seniors are also leading the way. Today we had everything except Nick (DePalermo) getting a cream pie in the face, but knowing these guys, that's coming, too. Alex (Cabral) was super in relief today and Justin (Beal) was huge at the plate with three runs driven in and while I've seen him better on the mound. He held off a good Valley team on grit and determination."

The Rams defeated Coginchaug later in the week as Ferrantelli went the distance in shutting down the Blue Devils 3-2 while out-dueling Tommy Ryan, who also turned in a fine pitching performance. Ferrantelli struggled in the first with his control but it turned out to be his most troublesome inning and yet Coginchaug was only able to score one run in the frame as the Rams turned a double play to end the threat. Old Saybrook got the run back in the bottom of the first as Beal singled home Rubano, who had drawn a walk and stolen second. Old Saybrook took the lead in the second as DePalermo continued his hot hitting with a single, moved to second on a passed ball and scored on an RBI single off the bat of sophomore Cabral. Coginchaug knotted things up in the third as Ryan singled, stole second, and scored on Ferrantelli's throwing error. The Rams scored what proved to be the winning run in the bottom of the fifth as Rubano singled, stole second, and raced home on a fielder's choice with good heads-up base running. Ferrantelli closed out the Blue Devils and notched his first complete-game win for the year.

Woods commented on the victory stating, "We won today in yet another way capitalizing on Joe's (Ferrantelli) arm and Mark's (Rubano) legs. Pitching, defense, and speed will get it done most of the time even if you get slowed down at the plate by a good pitcher like Tommy (Ryan). Joe has an iron will, and even though he struggled early, he was not about to give in. We love having athletes who can run and make good decisions and that's what we got from Mark and Sam Redway today. Justin Beal once again showed why he is one of the top all-around players in the conference with his defense and hitting and Max Alden's play behind the plate solidifies us game in and game out. We're thrilled to be 4-0 but we're not surprised."

Old Saybrook made it to 5-0 on April 15 when they traveled to Clinton's Indian River Complex to face conference foe Morgan. Beating the Huskies 7-1, it was another case of solid pitching from DePalermo, who struck out three batters, gave up eight hits, and walked a batter to hold the Huskies to a one-run game.

"Nick had another great day-he was great on the mound and great at the plate, he's just been great for us and he's really getting it done this year," said Woods. "He's totally in control and we're getting spoiled."

The run scored for Morgan against DePalermo was off the bat of Stef DiCrosta in the sixth inning after his single scored Nate Calini. DiCrosta also hit a double in the second inning with Tim Neri, Matt Chidsey, and Zak Repscher also hitting singles off DePalermo.

"Morgan is a little younger this year, we played another young team against Cogincahug, but you have to come out and pitch and work your offense and defense, and that's what we did today," said Woods.

The Rams were successful against Calini. Scott led off the game with a single in the first inning, while Carlson also hit a bloop single in the second inning before the Rams were able to start scoring runs in the third. Redway led off the inning with a single, followed by Rubano's single to put the Rams on first and second for Scott, who lined an RBI single that scored Redway, followed by Beal's RBI single that scored Rubano. Ferrantelli then hit an RBI single to score a third run and McElhone's double cleared the bases, putting Old Saybrook up to a quick 4-0 advantage.

In the fourth inning, the Rams tacked on three more runs, starting with Ryan Daniels getting on base after a single to the left side and Redway blasted a double that split the outfielders and sent Daniels home. Rubano then came up to hit a single that scored Redway and Rubano scored on a fielder's choice.

The Rams' bats continued to produce hits, but they were unable to get any further runs.

"We were missing our regular catcher today, but sophomore Bobby Endrizzi stepped right in and didn't miss a beat and he did a great job," said Woods. "Also, Sam Redway is a basketball star, but he's really stepping up in baseball. He hit well today and ran well. It's been everybody, top to bottom of the lineup, we just have the talent. We've gotten off to the start we wanted to, we're where we wanted to be, and we've still got a lot of players that haven't played yet-we've got the depth off the bench. We're in a good place."