Morris Knolls @ Randolph Group 3 Semifinal Preview

Do you want drama? Do you want a rivalry? When the Rams and Golden Eagles take the field at 4 pm on Wednesday in Randolph, you’ll get just that! The Group 3 Semifinal has all the makings of an instant classic. Both schools have been rivals dating back to when most parents were in high school. This will be another chapter in this storied rivalry.  

Familiar Foes

Remember the electrifying showdown between Morris Knolls (26-5) and Randolph (21-9) earlier this year? It was a primetime matchup under the lights on the Big State Sports Network. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with the Golden Eagles taking an early four-run lead off of Randolph starter James Kleiven. But the Rams fought back and leveled the game at four, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish.

In the bottom of the 4th, Knolls responded with three runs on three straight singles to take the lead. Ryan Kuehne drove in two of the three runs, and Kleiven’s night was finished when the inning came to a close. Dean Kaletcher earned the win and was our Open Road Mazda of Morristown Player of the Game. 

Probable Pitchers

James Kahn tossed 89 pitches against West Essex on Monday, making him ineligible for Wednesday. Look for the Golden Eagles to go with either Colin Ferschman (5-0, 2.22 ERA) or Kaletcher (5-0, 2.26 ERA) to make the start tomorrow. 

The Rams will call on Kleiven (4-2, 3.08 ERA), who has shown why he’s ranked as one of the top 10 players in the state. Kleiven enters Wednesday coming off back-to-back wins where he allowed only two earned runs and struck out 12 over those 11 innings pitched.

Final Thoughts

The stage is set; now it’s a matter of who goes out and wants it more. Can Randolph avenge their loss from earlier this year? Will the Golden Eagles advance and compete for their 2nd-straight state title? The one certainty is that fans tomorrow are in for a wild ride from the moment the first pitch is thrown.