After going winless in their first four league games, the Rams rallied to battle both opponents on the field and weather off the field, putting together a three-game winning streak through last Friday. That puts them right in the thick of things, only a few games behind division leader Santa Teresa (5-1) with only one-third of the season under their belts and plenty more to play.

"We're right in the hunt," Gladden said. "Everybody is beating everybody and no one is dominating."

The Rams got on the winning track by grinding out a come-from-behind eight-inning 6-5 victory over Branham. Jason Tom was on the hill for the Rams and picked up his first win on the year.

Willow Glen was looking up at a 4-0 deficit after only two innings but put one on the board in the bottom of the third and three more in the sixth to tie things up. In the top of the eighth, Branham was able to push across a run to take the lead and force the Rams to battle from behind again.

The Rams were up for the challenge and went to work in their half of the eighth. After a hit batsman, Jason Gibilisco rapped a sharp single to put two runners on. Two straight walks to Dewey Rogge and Jason Jeffrey forced in the tying run and set the stage for Brent Kompelien. He punched a solid single to drive in the winning run and send the Rams home with their first league win. Kompelien, Will Robinson, and Jose Torres had the hot bats for the Rams, knocking out two hits each on the day.

After suffering two rainouts and a week of inactivity, the Rams chalked up win No. 2 with a 6-5 edging of Mt. Pleasant, but they didn't make it easy although it looked like it might be that way.

The hitting of Matt Arevalo (two knocks, including a double) and a pair of singles by Rogge plus the 2-hit pitching of Tom (2-2) led the way for the Rams to build a 4-0 lead headed into the top of the seventh inning. Suddenly it all vanished when a walk, two hits, a hit batter, and an error opened the floodgates, allowing Mt. Peasant to rack up a 5-4 advantage.

It sure looked like the Rams were going to let one slip away when Mt. Pleasant got two quick outs to open the bottom of the seventh inning. However, Torres and Rogge reached base and advanced to second and third, keeping Willow Glen's hopes alive.

It wasn't a sharp single, but it did the trick and picked up the necessary RBI's as Steven Skavdahl sent a slow roller down the third base line and was able to leg it out for an infield single. Torres scampered home from third with the tying run and Rogge, who was on second, never hesitated as he rounded third, catching the Cardinals napping, and raced home with the winning run.

Kompelien gave the Rams win No. 3 as he fired a fine 4-hitter to up his record to 2-0 and help nail down a 2-1 win over Branham last Friday. Kompelien has been a nice surprise for Gladden, especially in light of a tender arm on the part of Tyler Smith.

"He was a spot starter for us but has stepped up and filled a role we needed," Gladden said. "He throws soft stuff, but he throws everything for strikes. He keeps the batters guessing and they just can't adjust."

The Rams played small ball in the effort over Branham. Rogge walked in the first and stole second. He showed his speed and savvy when he was able to score all the way from second on a passed ball to give the Rams a 1-0 lead.

It stayed that way until Willow Glen was able to add one more in the top of the seventh. Torres slapped a base hit and advanced to third on a couple of misplayed bunts. He was able to score on a ground out to second by Eddie Romo.

The extra run proved to be critical when Branham hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh. The Rams were able to hang on for the win when Torres grabbed a ground ball, stepped on second, and fired to first for a double play to end the game.

The Rams have a break from action this week due to spring vacation but will resume Mt. Hamilton Division play against Leland on April 6 (at Leland) and April 8 (at Willow Glen) in 3:30 p.m. contests.

Softball

After going 7-2 in non-league, Willow Glen suffered a heartbreaking loss to open BVAL Santa Teresa Division play. The Rams battled Piedmont Hills to a 0-0 deadlock at the end of regulation before dropping a 1-0 loss in 10 innings. The international tiebreaker rule was invoked and Piedmont Hills was able to push across a run in the top of the 10th with a bunt and a sacrifice fly.

Michelle McCollum was on the hill for the Rams and certainly did her part to try and get the win. She fired a complete game 1-hitter and struck out 10 in the process and seemed to get stronger as the game progressed.

At the plate, the Rams picked up six hits but just couldn't string a few together to put any runs on the board. "We had our opportunities to score, but made some base running errors that cost us," coach Scott McCollum said. "We outplayed them but just couldn't score."

After getting a game washed out against Evergreen early last week, Willow Glen was still looking for its first league win when Independence came visiting last Thursday. The Rams will have to wait a little longer as Independence was able to squeeze out a 3-2 win and drop Willow Glen to 0-2 in league play.

Lillian Smith gave the Rams an early lead when she ripped a bases loaded two-run double in the second inning. Willow Glen was able to hold that lead until Independence broke loose for three runs in the top of the sixth and held on for the win.

"Both teams played well and either team could have won," McCollum said.