By BRIAN TORTELLA

Correspondent

On X @tortreports

BROOKLAWN — At every level, baseball is an interesting sport. From the time that first pitch is thrown, you’re basically guaranteed a loss at some point throughout the season. Traditionally, that’s part of the game. You win some, you lose some, and you have some fun in between.

With Gloucester Catholic, however, you never truly know what to expect. One thing that’s guaranteed when it comes to the Rams’ historically great baseball program — is that they’re winners. 

The now 16-0 Rams showed that in dominant fashion as they dominated No. 17 seed Cedar Creek, 10-0, in the second round of the 50th Joe Hartmann Diamond Classic on Saturday morning. The top-seeded and defending champion Rams move on to the quarterfinals, where they’ll face No. 9 Rancocas Valley, a 3-2 winner over Eastern.

“Our guys had a big day,” said Gloucester Catholic coach Dennis Barth. “We have a pretty good lineup, and when we settle down and hit strikes, we’re pretty good. We have pretty good pitching, and that’s going to keep us in a lot of games. So, as long as we put the ball in play, we’ll continue getting wins.”

To no surprise, University of Miami commit Tate DeRias was — yet again — lights out on the mound, recording 10 strikeouts while allowing four hits in five innings. His fastball reached as high as 92 miles-per-hour.

“It feels really good,” DeRias said. “I went out there and commanded the zone really well. Obviously, we’re the No. 1 seed, so we know that we’re the top dogs. We just want to live up to (the hype) and show everyone why we’re No. 1. Next round, we have Rancocas Valley, and I think it’s going to be a lot of the same.”

On top of the loaded pitching, the Rams also collectively hit the ball exceptionally well. DeRias went 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI. Sophomore Jason Bogart had the same line. Most notably, though, he set up the first scoring opportunity for the Rams, singling on a bunt to load the bases in the bottom of the third inning.

“This program is everything,” Bogart said. “I watched my brother (Joey Bogart) before I came here, two years ago. I learned a lot from him. I just try to do my best every game. Get guys on, get them over. Last year, we won the states (Non-Public B state championship) and the Diamond. We can do that again this year.” 

Confidence is key for the Rams, who continue to make strides and prove that they’re the team to beat in New Jersey baseball. Barth said he knows there’s still work to be done, however. 

“There are a lot of good teams around,” Barth said. “I keep telling the kids, ‘we have a lot to learn, we have to get better.’ You don’t always get a second chance, and, fortunately, we’ve been getting a lot of second chances so far. We have a lot to clean up.”

WHAT’S NEXT: Gloucester Catholic (16-0; 6-0 in Tri-County Royal) travels to Williamstown on Monday at 4 p.m. Cedar Creek (14-4; 6-2 in Cape-Atlantic National) hosts Atlantic Tech at the same time on Monday.