March 27, 2010
Box Score
Richmond, Va. -
It was a day of firsts in Fordham's conference opening doubleheader at Richmond on Saturday. Fordham's Max Krakowiak threw his first career complete game in a 5-1 win in game two of the doubleheader, while Ryan Lee's first career three-hit game wasn't enough in a 10-7 loss in game one.
With the split, Fordham is 5-16 overall, 1-1 in the Atlantic 10, while Richmond moves to 12-9 overall, 1-1 in league play.
In game one, Richmond scored six unearned runs off three Fordham errors in the bottom of the sixth inning en route to a 10-7 win in the series opener.
Fordham started out great, getting out to a 4-0 lead by the top of the sixth inning. Fordham got on the board in the top of the third inning, as Ryan Lee led off with a single, and stole second base. Ryan Maghini then reached base on a fielder's choice, but was out on a double play, which moved Lee to third. Brian Kownacki then hit a ground ball to third, which was mishandled, allowing Lee to score.
The Rams made it 3-0 in the fifth, as Kownacki connected for a two-out double to score Lee, who singled and moved to second on a passed ball. Ryan McCrann followed with a single up the middle to score Kownacki.
The lead was extended to 4-0 in the top of the sixth as Mike Mobbs led off with a double to left center, moved to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a passed ball.
Richmond then took advantage of three Fordham errors, leading to a six-run sixth inning and a 6-4 lead. Chris Cowell started the inning with a single to right center, which ended Fordham starter J.P. Mack's day, bringing in Jordan Grangard from the bullpen.
Evan Stehle then hit a ground ball back to Grangard, who tried to get Cowell at second, but the throw went errant, leaving runners at first and second. Robby Massar followed with another ground ball back to Grangard, who threw errant to third base, allowing Cowell to score with Stehle taking third.
Next, Phil Ruzbarsky connected with an RBI-single to score Stehle, cutting the Fordham lead to 4-2. Grangard then attempted to pick off Ruzbarsky, but the throw got away from McCrann, allowing Massar to score with Ruzbarsky taking second. After sacrifice bunt, Derek Boliek singled up the middle to score Ruzbarsky and tie the game.
Fordham reliever Rich Anastasi came in for Grangard, who walked the next batter and then got a ground out for the second out of the inning. Cameron Brown then doubled to right center, scoring both runners for a 6-4 lead.
Richmond made it 7-4 in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI-single by Mike Mergenthaler, before Fordham pulled back within 7-6 in the eighth. Chris Walker started the inning with a single and moved to third on a double by Mobbs. Walker then scored on a ground out by Angelo Ponte. After a walk to Dan Sorine, Lee came up with an RBI-single up the middle to score Mobbs from second.
The Spiders however responded with three runs in bottom half of the frame to take a 10-6 lead, highlighted by a two-run double by Ruzbarsky.
Fordham tried to come back in the ninth, picking up a run on an error, but would not get closer, as reliever Billy Barber was able to retire the Rams before any more runs could score.
For Fordham, Grangard (0-1) took the loss, allowing four unearned runs on two hits in just a third of an inning. Mack pitched the first five innings for the Rams, allowing one unearned run on four hits with six strikeouts. Of Richmond's ten runs scored, only three were earned.
At the plate, Lee had his first career three-hit game, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI, while McCrann was 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI. Mobbs was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and two doubles.
In game two, Fordham's Max Krakowiak threw a complete game three-hitter and tied a career-high with eight strikeouts as the Rams posted a 5-1 win over the Spiders.
Richmond scratched the scoreboard first, again taking advantage of a Fordham miscue. Adam McConnell led off the inning with a single, but advanced to third on a failed pickoff attempt by Fordham catcher Chris Walker. He then scored on a sacrifice fly by Boliek.
Fordham tied the game at one in the top of the fifth inning, as
Michael Taddei connected for a solo home run to centerfield, the first of his career.
The Rams then grabbed their first lead of the game with two runs in the seventh inning. Walked began the inning with a single, and moved to second on a passed ball. After a strikeout, Kownacki hit a drive to left field, which was misplayed by the leftfielder, allowing Walker to score with Kownacki going to second. Sorine followed with an RBI-single to right to give Fordham a 3-1 edge.
Fordham extended that lead to 5-1 in the ninth, as the Rams got four two-out hits to score a pair of runs. P.J. Como began the late rally with a two-out single and stole second. After a wild pitch advanced Como, Maghini ripped a single up the middle to score Como. After a single by Nick Martinez, Lee plated Maghini with a single to center for a four-run lead.
The four-run cushion was plenty for Fordham starter Max Krakowiak (1-3), as he pitched his first career complete game, allowing just three hits, no earned runs, no walks, and struck out eight, which tied a career-high. Of Richmond's six base runners in game two, Krakowiak had just two reach third base in the game.
At the plate, Mobbs was the lone multi-hit game, going 2-for-5 with a stolen base, while Taddei was 1-for-4 with a home run.
The three-game series between the Rams and Spiders will wrap up with a 1:00 game on Sunday.
