Box Score Feb. 21, 2010
Box Score
Norfolk, Va. -
For the third straight game, the Fordham baseball team was able to get the early lead on Old Dominion at the Bud Metheny Complex in Norfolk, Va. Unfortunately like the last two days, the Monarchs turned walks into runs, completing a three-game sweep of the Rams with an 11-5 decision on Sunday.
As was the case all weekend along, Fordham (0-3) hit the scoreboard first in the top of the first inning. Nick Martinez connected for a one-out single, stole second, and advanced to third on a groundout. Chris Walker continued his hot hitting from yesterday with an RBI-single to plate Martinez.
The Rams extended their lead to 3-0 in the top of the second. Mike Mobbs and Stephen McSherry opened the frame with back-to-back walks. After a pair of strikeouts and a wild pitch, Brian Kownacki came up with a two-out single, scoring Mobbs and McSherry.
Old Dominion (3-0) began to chip away at the Fordham lead in the bottom of the third, as Josh Wright connected for a solo home run to left center off Fordham starter Brian Pendergast.
The Monarchs made it a 3-2 game in the fourth, as Chris Baker doubled home Joe Velleggia, who reached on a walk.
Fordham though came right back with two runs of their own in the top of the fifth to regain their three-run lead at 5-2. Martinez led off with a single followed by a walk to P.J. Como. After a double steal, Walker came through again with a two-run single up the middle, scoring Martinez and Como.
The Monarchs got back in the scoring column in the bottom of the sixth, as Nathan Hartman drew a walk and Velleggia was hit by a pitch. Fordham reliever Daniel Munday then came into the game and was greeted with an RBI-single by Baker, making it a 5-3 game. Munday however got out of the jam, behind a 6-4-3 double play and a strikeout of John Malbon.
Old Dominion kept the offense rolling in the bottom of seventh, as they rallied for four runs to take a 7-5 lead. With two outs and two runners on, Hartman cracked a two-run double to right center to tie the game. Velleggia then connected on a two-run home run to left, his second of the series, to give the Monarchs the lead.
Unfortunately for Fordham, the Rams were their own worst enemy in the eighth, surrendering five walks, a hit batsman, two wild pitches, and an error, leading to four runs and an 11-5 loss.
In all four Ram pitchers gave up 12 walks on the afternoon. Munday (0-1) took the loss for Fordham, giving up four runs on four hits in 1 2/3 innings pitched. Starter Brian Pendergast went the five plus innings, allowing three runs on three hits with six walks and two strikeouts.
At the plate, Martinez was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two stolen bases, while Walker was 2-for-4 with three RBI.
Brandon Smith (1-0) picked up the win in relief for Old Domionion, throwing five-inning of three-hit ball with three strikeouts.
The Fordham baseball team will next be in action on Friday, February 26th, when they open a three-game series at Duke University in Durham, N.C.
