Box Score April 1, 2010
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Bronx, N.Y. -
The opening game of the Fordham-Rhode Island series on Thursday could pretty much be summed up in one word: marathon. The game went 15 innings, which tied for the third longest in Fordham history, but went Rhode Island's way, as pinch-hitter Kevin Stenhouse knocked in the game-winning run in the top of the 15th to give URI a 6-5 win at Houlihan Park.
The 15-inning game tied for the third longest game in Fordham baseball history with a 15-inning contest between Fordham and Seton Hall on April 27, 1966, which stood alone as the longest home game at Houlihan Park/Jack Coffey Field until today.
The only longer games were a 16-inning game versus St. John's (5/10/1948) and the second longest game in NCAA history, a 19-inning affair against Clemson in the 1988 NCAA Tournament.
The game started with Rhode Island grabbing a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning on a solo home run by Mylan Lucas, his second of the season.
Fordham responded with two runs in the bottom half of the frame, as Brian Kownacki and P.J. Como led off with back-to-back singles. After a sacrifice advanced the runners, Nick Martinez and Ryan Lee followed with two RBI-singles up the middle to give Fordham a 2-1 lead.
Fordham made it 4-1 in the bottom of the fifth. Ryan Maghini started the inning with a double to left center, and moved to third on a Martinez single. Maghini then scored on a ground out by Lee, while Martinez scored on an RBI-single by Mike Mobbs.
Rhode Island then regained the lead at 5-4 with a four-run outburst in the top of the sixth, highlighted by a two-run single by Evan Laude.
Fordham however put together a two-out rally in the ninth to tie the game at five. Mobbs connected for a two-out single and moved to second on a wild pitch. Ryan McCrann then singled through the left side, where Mobbs just beat the throw home to force extra innings.
Both teams had prime opportunities in the extra frames to possibly win the game. In the 12th inning, Rhode Island had the bases loaded with one out, but Fordham reliever Daniel Munday struck out Laude and then got Zoey Angulo to ground out to short, ending the threat.
Later in the 13th inning, Fordham had their shot to win the game, getting runners at first and third with one out. Como opened with a bunt single and was sacrificed to second. Martinez then hit a short single to left, moving Como to third. Lee then hit a ground ball to Rhode Island shortstop Mike LeBel with the infield pulled in, who then threw home getting Como in a run down before eventually tagging him out. URI reliever Mike Bradstreet then got Mobbs to pop out to end the inning.
Then in the top of the 15th, Rhode Island finally broke the tie to go up, 6-5. Adam Derner connected for a two-out single to start the rally, while Adams was hit by a pitch. Pinch hitter Kevin Stenhouse then looped a double down the left field line, just out of Lee's reach to score the go-ahead run.
Fordham could not mount another late rally to tie the game, as Bradstreet (1-0) retired the side in order for the win. He finished the contest, allowing four hits in four scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
For Fordham, Munday (3-2) took the loss in relief, allowing one run on four hits in four innings with three strikeouts. Starter J.P. Mack went the first 5.2 innings, allowing four earned runs on six hits with three strikeouts, while Jordan Grangard pitched 4.2 innings of relief, giving up two hits with four strikeouts.
At the plate, Mobbs and Como were both 3-for-7 in the game, while Martinez went 3-for-6. Lee ended the game 2-for-7 with two RBI.
The same two teams will match up for game two of this series on Friday at 11:00 AM.
Longest Games in Fordham Baseball History
19 innings - Fordham at Clemson (5/26/1988)
16 innings - Fordham at St. John's (5/10/1948)
15 innings - Seton Hall at Fordham (4/27/1966)
15 innings - Rhode Island at Fordham (Today)
Longest Home Games in Fordham Baseball History
15 innings - Seton Hall at Fordham (4/27/1966)
15 innings - Rhode Island at Fordham (Today)
