April 28, 2010
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
New York, N.Y. -
The Fordham baseball team renewed one of its oldest and most famous Metropolitan baseball rivalries against the Columbia Lions on Wednesday at Robertson Field, which dates back to 1884. The Rams however left unfulfilled dropping the opener, 6-3, in seven innings, and the nightcap, 5-4, in nine innings.
Fordham is now 14-27 on the year, while Columbia improved to 22-18.
In game one, Columbia's Jason Banos hit a bases clearing double in the bottom of the fifth inning, as the Lions won the opener, 6-3 over Fordham.
Fordham opened game one with a single run in the first, as Brian Kownacki connected for a one-out single, moved to second on a ground out and scored on a single by Chris Walker.
Columbia tied the game at one in the bottom of the third inning, as Alex Ferrera reached on an error, was sacrificed to second, and scored on a single by Jon Eisen.
The score stayed knotted at one until the bottom of the fifth inning, when Columbia scored four times to take a 5-1 lead, highlighted by a three-run double by Jason Banos and a sacrifice fly by Roberts.
Fordham got two of those runs right back in the top of the sixth inning, making it a 5-3 ball game. With two outs, Kownacki drew a walk and moved to second on a single by Ryan McCrann. Chris Walker then ripped a double to right, his team-leading 19th of the season, scoring both runners.
Columbia however went back ahead by three, 6-3, as Dario Pizzano hit a solo home run down the right field line, his ninth of the season.
Fordham was unable to mount a comeback in the seventh, as the first game of the doubleheader was slated to only go seven innings.
James Stone (0-1) took the loss, allowing four earned runs on three hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Ryan DeMartino finished the final 1.1 innings, allowing one run on two hits with two strikeouts.
At the plate, Walker was 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI, while Kownacki was 1-for-3 with two runs scored.
In game two, Columbia's Nick Crucet beat out a double play ball in the bottom of the eighth inning, allowing Anthony Potter to score, giving the Lions a 5-4 win and a sweep of the doubleheader.
Fordham again found the scoreboard first, as Ryan Lee got a single through the left side, while McCrann hit a line drive to right center, off the top of the wall and over for a two-run home run, his third of the season.
Columbia cut the lead in half in the bottom of the frame, as Nick Crucet doubled to right center, and score on a single by Nick Cox.
The Lions then knotted the game at two in the bottom of the third, as Billy Rumpke reached on an infield single and moved to third on Joe Russo's errant throw to first. Rumpke later scored on a sacrifice fly by Eric Williams.
Fordham regained the lead in the top of the fifth, scoring twice for a 4-2 lead. Nick Martinez opened the rally with a walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. Kownacki then drove out a triple to the right field corner to score Martinez, while McSherry plated Kownacki with an RBI-ground out.
The Lions however would come back again in the eighth, scoring three times to take a 5-4 lead, as Alex Black started the scoring with an RBI-double to score Eric Williams from first. Anthony Potter then singled through the left side and advanced to second on a wild pitch, leaving Columbia with runners at second and third with no outs.
Fordham reliever Joseph Charest was able to get the first out of the inning on a strikeout, but he through a wild pitch to Banos, allowing Black to score, tying the game. After a walk to Banos, Charest got Crucet to hit a ground ball to second, which Fordham tried to turn the double play, but Crucet beat the relay throw, allowing Potter to score the go-ahead run.
Black then came into the game as a pitcher for Columbia, closing out the game in the ninth for his first save of the season.
Charest (0-2) took the loss for Fordham in relief, while starter John Flanagan received a no-decision, as he allowed just one earned run on five hits with six strikeouts in six innings of work.
At the plate, Kownacki was 2-for-5 with a triple and an RBI, while McCrann was 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, and two RBI.
The Fordham baseball team returns to action on Friday, April 30th, when they open a three-game Atlantic 10 home series against La Salle Explorers, beginning at 7:00 PM.
