West Hempstead finishes atop conference

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The Nassau Countywide Baseball Conference remains in existence for numerous reasons. Rather than have rebuilding teams constantly withstand ignominious losses, the league allows programs to play competitive games while working their way back to respectability. Nobody gains from being on either side of one-sided games is the philosophy behind it.

In 2016, West Hempstead took a few steps forward. The Rams won the league title, finishing with an overall record of 11-7 (10-5 in league and crossover play), and had a signature win against a perennially solid opponent along the way. Eight of West Hempstead’s games were decided by three runs or fewer.

The team finished off its season with a two-game sweep of a vastly improved Roosevelt nine. In the first game, the Rams’ home finale, West Hempstead won in dramatic fashion, rallying from a one-run deficit in the bottom of the seventh and taking a 7-6 victory. A triple by senior Jonathan Greve to lead off the inning got the rally started.

The following afternoon, on Roosevelt’s home diamond, West Hempstead closed out the campaign with a convincing 6-1 win. Junior Matt Arasmo knocked in three runs and senior Ryan Sandberg had a single and two RBI to lead the offensive attack. Junior Matt Morel earned the victory on the mound.

“We progressed real well over the season,” head coach Kevin Cloughessy said. “We had our ups and downs along the way, but we always seemed to bounce back. Some of the guys came a long way. They bought into keeping things simple. It’s something to build on whether we stay in this league or not.”

The Rams made a name for themselves early in the season when they welcomed in an Oyster Bay team that regularly competes for the county championship. After scrapping together a couple of early runs, Sandberg shutdown the Baymen and the Rams held on for a 2-1 victory.

Sandberg went the distance, finishing with 13 strikeouts while allowing just two hits to an Oyster Bay team that entered the Class B finals with an 18-3 record. His numbers on the mound for the season were off the charts. In 28 innings, he struck out 52 batters, walked just four, and was charged with just two earned runs.

Arasmo had a big day when the Rams hosted Elmont in mid-April. Arasmo not only earned the victory, he was 3-for-4 at the plate and knocked in a run as West Hempstead won 10-4. Sandberg had two hits, including a triple, and had three RBI.

After the Spartans took the middle game of the three-game set, the Rams need dramatics to take the rubber game. Senior Rayshawn Grant singled home Arasmo in the bottom of the eighth inning to lead the team’s come-from-behind 8-7 win. Senior Ray Close hit a three-run double in the sixth to tie the score, and a double by junior Savion Thorpe send the game to extra innings after Elmont had taken a 7-6 lead.