VIDEO: Ray’s late two-run single helps LCM rally for win over Middle Township

Posted: April 13th 2026

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

ERMA – Ashton Ray might be off to a relatively slow start offensively, but there’s no question he’s the player the Lower Cape May Regional High School baseball team wants at the plate in a big spot.

“He’s a baller,” Lower coach Ryan Slaney said. "He’s been a gamer since he was 10 years old in Little League. He handles pressure situations well. He always has.”

Ray certainly came through in a pressure situation Monday afternoon against rival Middle Township. The sophomore catcher drilled a two-run line-drive single to left with the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game, before the Caper Tigers took the lead for good on a throwing error following a sacrifice bunt later in the frame that led to a 6-5 win over the Panthers.

“Ashton’s been a little down on himself the last couple weeks,” Slaney said. "He’s been putting the ball in play but he hasn’t had some of his best at bats. This was big for him. It’s great for the team-building thing, but also for him to come through like that.”

Ty Heacock, the game’s winning pitcher, and Chase Slaney, the son of the head coach, each scored on Ray’s game-tying hit, with Slaney diving into home to avoid a tag. Caden Elwell later scored what turned out to be the winning run when a throwing error followed Colin Hewitt’s sacrifice bunt.

Heacock walked a batter and then recorded a strikeout and got another Middle batter to pop out in the top of the seventh. But the sophomore right-hander reached the 110-pitch limit and had to be removed. Slaney came on and induced a fly out to left field to end the game.

The win was the first of the season for Lower (1-7), a young team that features only two seniors and no juniors. The Tigers rallied from deficits of 3-1 and 5-3 to get the victory.

“These last couple weeks, we’ve been better each day,” coach Slaney said. “We’ve been singled-handedly beating ourselves. Being a young team, there’s some nervousness there. We’re learning the game as we go. To be able to come back and win this game after not starting off so well was huge for us.”

Elwell had two hits, two stolen bases and two runs scored and Blake Sederland had two hits and an RBI for Lower.

For Middle (0-6), Tommy Yarson hit a two-run double, Nick Matteucci went 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored and Gavin McDonnell was 2 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI. The Panthers are also a young team that features no seniors.

The teams are set to play again Tuesday. Middle will be the home team, but the contest will again be at Lower Cape May as Middle does not have a home field this spring due to renovation work being performed at Dougherty Field.

(photos courtesy Heidi Ray)