Box Score April 19, 2008
Box Score
Philadelphia, Pa. -
La Salle knocked out 15 hits on the afternoon, while getting seven innings out of Drew Gerhart, as the Explorers knocked off the Rams, 14-10, at Hank DeVincent Field in Philadelphia, Pa.
With the loss, Fordham drops to 20-17-1 overall, 6-8 in the Atlantic 10, while La Salle moves to 8-29 on the year, 3-11 in the league.
La Salle cracked the scoreboard first with two runs in the first inning. After a double play, John Rickards drew a walk from Fordham starter Peter Kennelly. After a stolen base and wild pitch moved to Rickards to third, Kennelly threw two pitches to T.J. Chism before having to leave the game. John Young came in relief of Kennelly, walking Chism and giving up a two-run single to R.J. Hollinsghead after Chism stole second.
La Salle extended their lead to 6-0 with four runs in the bottom of the second inning. The Explorers loaded the bases on two errors and a single, and scored their first run on a single by John Malloy. They then scored single runs on a bases loaded walk to Justin Handler and sacrifice flies by Rickards and Chism.
Fordham cut the lead in half with a three-run third, scoring all three with two outs. Mike Mobbs opened the rally with a one-out double. After a fielder choice by Rich Goulian got Mobbs out at third, Danny Leach ripped a double to the left center, scoring Goulian from first. Eric Reese then plated Leach with a ground rule double off the scoreboard in left field. Chris Kaible closed the rally with an RBI-single to left, scoring Reese.
La Salle made it a 7-3 game in the bottom of the fourth, as Zach Feierstein doubled to left, moved to third on a wild pitch, and score on a single by Handler.
The Rams came right back to score three in the top of the fifth to close within one, 7-6. Goulian got things started with a single up the middle, followed by a walk to Leach. Reese then grounded into a fielder's choice, leaving runners at first and third. Reese then stole second, allowing Goulian to score on the play. Reese then scored on a wild pitch and throwing error by the catcher. Kaible then drew a walk and came around to score on a fly ball by DiNardo, that the leftfielder was not able to catch.
La Salle came right back to score six times in the bottom half of the inning to take a 13-6, highlighted by a three-run triple by Rickards, which made him La Salle's all-time leader in triples with 16.
The Explorers continued to score picking up another run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Feierstein, making the score, 14-6.
Fordham cut the lead in half with four runs in the top of the eighth inning. P.J. Como started the rally with a leadoff triple to center, while Alex Kenny was hit by a pitch. Como then scored on a sacrifice fly by Ryan David. Pinch-hitter Ryan McCrann then singled to right, putting runners at first and second. After a fielder's choice error allowed Kenny to score, Leach grounded out to place runners at second and third. Reese then dropped a two-run single into center to make the score, 14-10.
Fordham tried to get the tying run to the plate in the ninth, as Fordham had first and second with two outs on walks to Como and David. McCrann laid down a bunt to third, but was unable to beat the throw to end the game.
Despite pitching to just four batters, Kennelly (1-2) took the loss, while Young allowed five runs (one earned) in 2/3 of an inning. Brando Casalicchio and Angelo Ponte wrapped up the pitching with 3 1/3 innings of work each. At the plate, Eric Reese was 2-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored, while Rich Goulian had three runs scored and a stolen base. P.J. Como also had two hits on the day for the Rams.
The same two teams will have the rubber game of this series on Sunday afternoon, beginning at 12:00 PM.
