Ladue Baseball Ready to Build on 19-8 Finish

Editors' note: Meant to say Lex Kaplan, not Lex Drum. Mental lapse. There was a Lex Drum who played basketball at Mizzou many moons ago.

The Ladue Rams are off to a 2-0 start to the season. Friday, Rob Ewald pitched a perfect gem, a five inning no hitter over Hancock 10-0 .The Rams went on a third inning five-run rampage, and added four more in the fifth to polish off the Tigers in a rule abbreviated game. The Rams host McCluer North today, weather permitting.

On Sunday, you can come back and hear from the coaches and Ewald on Patch.

On Thursday, the Rams brought out the heavy lumber to open the season.  They beat the McCluer Comets, 11-1 in the home-opener.

Rob Garrett’s Rams were rebuilding last year, and the 2013 model wants to build more on that foundation. Last year, the Rams lost in the third round of the state playoffs to St. Louis U. High 3-2. They beat the Jr. Bills in the first game of the 2012 season, 7-6 and finished up 19-8 overall.

The outlooks good, starting with center field. Senior Lex Kaplan has inked a scholarship with Miami. He hit. 488 last year, had 39 hits, 6 doubles, 7 triples and 8 homers and 39 runs driven in.

Behind the plate, Turner Miller is really solid. He’s started every game for three years. Miller hit .464 at the plate and had 40 RBIs.

The Rams are super deep in pitching. They have 11 on the roster, and all have been effective either at the varsity or JV level. Three of those hurlers are lefties, and eight are right-handed.

Danny Scheinbein, the starting short stop graduated, but the Rams have Michael Wielansky to take that spot. Rob Ewald, who hit .304 returns at first base and Ryan Glazer will find a spot in the infield. Gabe Grand holds down the second base spot.

The biggest loss is Lucas Tamaren who hit .380 and has graduated.

One of the highlights of the 2012 season was the perfect game thrown by senior Greg Gannon. He’s gone on to Mizzou, but is no longer playing baseball.

Jason Blanke returns to the outfield. He hit .354 a year ago.

Obviously, the Rams have the sticks and the pitching to contend. Now, the question is, can they put it all together for a title run in 2013?

Coach Rob Garrett and assistant Don Goble sure hope so.