It wasn't for the Willow Glen Rams last week. They scored 16 in their first game of the week against Leland, and that was good for a 16-9 victory over the Chargers. Two days later, though, the Rams could manage just four more runs in a 14-4 loss to Leland on a rainy Friday afternoon.

The split left the Rams 4-5 and in a three-way tie for fifth place in the Mt. Hamilton Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League with Leland and Oak Grove. It remains a tight race in the division with the three clubs just a game behind fourth-place Branham (5-4), a game and a half back of third-place Westmont (5-3), two games behind second-place Leigh (6-3) and only three behind division leading Santa Teresa (7-2).

Willow Glen is out to make up ground this week. The Rams were to open the week with a Monday clash with last-place Mt. Pleasant (0-8) in a make-up of a rainout earlier in the week. Then Willow Glen challenges a tough Leigh club on April 13 at home and on April 15 at Leigh. All games begin at 3:30 p.m.

"We're trying to make a statement," said Willow Glen head coach Bret Gladden. "We have to get out ahead early and stay ahead."

Willow Glen wasn't able to get ahead at all in its second game of the week, but it was able to put together a little bit of offense late in the game. Trailing 14-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh, the Rams were not about to give up without a fight.

The Rams put up three runs on one hit. With one out, Dewey Rogge was hit by a pitch to put a runner on first and bring Jason Jeffery to the plate. Jeffery was hit as well, putting two runners on. Will Robinson went down on strikes, but not before a double steal put both runners in scoring position. Eric Walberg came to the plate and loaded the bases when he was hit by a pitch.

With two outs and the bases loaded, Brent Komplien grounded a single through the left side to score the first run of the inning and start a two-out rally. With the bases still loaded, Eddie Romo walked to force in another run before Mike Roseland reached on an error by the Leland third baseman, allowing another run to score.

Leland was able to get the last out to end the inning and the game.

"Dewey Rogge has been doing a good job for us in the lead-off spot," said Gladden. "Tyler Smith has also been playing well and Will Robinson has been banging at the plate all year."

The Rams' only other run came in the bottom of the second when Jason Tom reached a walk with two outs. Smith ripped a line drive single to right that moved Tom to second. Steven Skavdahl knocked a base hit to center that scored Tom and moved Smith to second. Both Smith and Skavdahl were left stranded.

"We keep emphasizing taking care of the ball," said Gladden. "And today we just didn't do that."

The bats might not have been very active for Willow Glen on April 8, but the Rams were on fire two days earlier. Jeffery went 2 for 3, while Komplien had two hits in four at-bats. Smith, who is a returning all-league player, went 4 for 4 on the day. Rogge had a big day at the plate as well, going 3 for 4 with two doubles.