Box Score Feb. 22, 2008
Final Stats
Wichita, Kans. -
The Fordham University baseball squad escaped the snowstorm in New York, traveling to Wichita, Kansas, where they opened the 2008 season with a 4-3 loss to #9 Wichita State in Eck Stadium.
"A disappointing loss. We had our opportunities but did not capitalize," said head coach Nick Restaino. "We pitched well enough to win, but give Wichita State credit for getting the go ahead run in."
Fordham had a chance to score in the top of the second when Bobby DiNardo opened the inning getting hit by a pitch and stole second. A walk to Chris Kaible put two on with no outs before John Kahn reached on a fielder's choice, with Kaible erased at second on the play. But Rob Iocono ended the threat by grounding into a double play.
The Shockers got on the board first, scoring three times in the bottom of the second. With one out, Tyler Weber and Tyler Hill singled, putting runners on first and second. A Dusty Coleman double scored Weber and moved Hill to third. One out later, Bret Bascue walked to load the bases and Andy Dirks followed with a single to plate Hill and Coleman.
The Rams tied the game at three with three runs in the seventh on just two hits. P.J. Como led off with a bunt single and he stole second. One out later, Rich Goulian reached on a fielding error, moving Como to third where he scored on an Eric Reese single. Reese and Goulian then pulled off a double steal, putting runners on second third. One out later, Goulian scored on a wild pitch and, after Kaible walked, Reese scored on another wild pitch.
But Wichita State scored what proved to be the game-winner in the home half of the seventh as Weber led off with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice. He then scored on a Coleman sacrifice fly to left.
Tom Davis threw the first five innings for the Rams, allowing five hits and three runs, striking out two, while J.P. Mack pitched the final three frames, giving up two hits and fanning four.
The two teams will continue their three-game series tomorrow with a single game at 3:00 PM (EST).
