Box Score Feb. 21, 2009
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Boca Raton, Fla. -
The Rams got timely hitting from Bobby DiNardo and strong pitching from starter Max Krakowiak, but a number of Rams' miscues late in the game would lead to offense for Florida Atlantic, as the Owls took game two of the three-game series, 11-5, at FAU Stadium.
"We did not play well in the late innings," said head coach Nick Restaino. "We need to be able to play an entire game to win at this level."
Things started out fine for the Rams, as Fordham (0-2) got on the board immediately in the top of the first inning, as Bobby DiNardo connected for a solo home run to right, his first of the season and 14th of his career.
The Owls (2-0) quickly tied the game in the bottom half of the first. Anthony Mesa drew a walk to start the rally, and moved to third on a single by Jeremy Griffiths. After a pop up, Mesa would score on a sacrifice fly to center by Travis Ozga.
FAU then grabbed the lead in the bottom of the second, taking advantage of a Fordham error. Nick Criaris hit a ground ball to second, which Nick Martinez was able to get to, but the throw went wide, allowing Criaris to reach second. After a sacrifice bunt, Criaris scored on an RBI-ground out by David Wilson.
The Rams knotted the game at two in the top of the fourth on an RBI-double by Ryan Maghini, scoring DiNardo, who led off the frame with a double.
Fordham then retook the lead in top of the fifth inning with a three-run outburst. Chris Walker led off the frame with his first career double, but was thrown out on an attempted sacrifice by Brian Kownacki for the first out of the inning. Kownacki then stole second and advanced to third on a bad throw by the FAU catcher. Danny Leach then lifted a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Kownacki for a 3-2 lead. Alex Kenny then reached on a single, and scored on DiNardo's second home run of the afternoon, this time to left center field, for a 5-2 lead.
The Owls tied the game with a three-run inning of their own, despite registering only one hit in the frame. Criaris drew a two-out walk, and was doubled to third by DelGuidice. After a walk loaded the bases, Fordham went to the bullpen bringing in Greg Dimmling for starter Max Krakowiak. Dimmling's first offering to Troy Bubley went wild, allowing Criaris to score. Bubley eventually walked to once again load the bases. Dimmling was then called for two balks, allowing two runs to come in and tie the game at five.
FAU followed with a four-run seventh inning, once again capitalizing on Fordham miscues. Griffiths was hit by a pitch to start the rally, followed by a walk to William Block. Fordham reliever Bobby Coyle was then called for a balk to advance the runners to second and third. Ozga then hit a chopper to second, where Martinez's throw could not be handled by DiNardo, allowing Griffiths to score. After a pop up, Criaris connected for a three-run home run to right center, his first of the season, to make it a 9-5 game.
The Owls tacked on two more insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth on a two-run home run by Block to right, his first of the season, scoring Griffiths, who walked.
For Fordham, Bobby DiNardo went 3-for-4 with two home runs, a double, and three RBI, while P.J. Como was 2-for-4. Greg Dimmling (0-1) took the loss in relief. Starter Max Krakowiak had a solid first outing, pitching 5 2/3 innings, allowing four earned runs on three hits with four strikeouts.
The Rams and Owls will meet for the final game of this series on Sunday, February 22nd, beginning at 1:00 PM.
