The Toll Gate baseball team has hit its stride in recent games and is hoping to turn things around completely as it sets its sights on a Division II playoff berth.

The team snapped a nine-game losing streak last week as it picked up wins over Rogers and crosstown rival Pilgrim to improve to 2-9 in league play.

The Titan bats were hot against Rogers as they put up runs in five of the six innings they were at work to grab the 12-7 win. Sophomore Braeden Geer led the way by knocking in a pair of runs while scoring three. Jack Colvin also drove in multiple runs along with Shane Moro. Jonah LaFauci scored three runs as well. Greg Laliberte earned the win on the mound and struck out seven batters.

“The hits started falling, the kids got their confidence and started rolling. (The Rogers win) was big and it was good to see since they show up every day and work hard,” said Toll Gate coach Nick Durand.

The team turned around to beat the Division I Patriots 8-7 the following game. 

The game was tied 7-7 in the bottom of the sixth and Geer stepped up and drove in Connor Salzillo to get the winning run. Salzillo finished the day with three runs scored.

Geer earned the win as he pitched in relief. Colvin tossed 5 2/3 innings as the starter and allowed two earned runs and struck out a pair of batters. Henry Kearns led Pilgrim by driving in three RBI on three hits. Pilgrim pitcher Derrick Butler finished the day pitching five innings and striking out six batters.

The win over the DI Pats could prove to be huge for Toll Gate’s RPI rating, as Pilgrim has some key wins including against La Salle.

“They absolutely loved it, they were up for the cross-city rivalry. To beat Pilgrim, (a DI team), our second win in a row. That was huge. Their confidence is up this week,” said Durand.

The Toll Gate bats came alive in the past two games, as they only scored 15 runs during the nine-game skid. Geer leads the team in batting average, on base percentage and stolen bases. 

“(Geer’s) been so consistent at the plate and has done a good job for us,” said Durand, who also credited his veterans in Colvin and Moro. “Their senior leadership has been awesome. Jack has been our backbone pitching wise and has been driving our offense, Shane throwing two runners out was a back breaker for Pilgrim. Shane’s a stud.”

The Titans faced Central on Wednesday as they looked to extend their winning streak, but the results were unavailable at press time. The team will next be in action on Friday when it hosts East Providence. 

Toll Gate is preparing to carry the momentum into the second half of the schedule as it gets set to face a handful of teams for the second time.

“We have our scouting reports, our hitting charts. We talk to our pitchers about how we’re going to attack, put our gameplan together and see where the dice rolls,” said Durand.