Box Score April 3, 2010
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Bronx, N.Y. -
Just like most of the weekend, the Fordham-Rhode Island series finale had plenty of offense in another tight contest, which saw the game tied at seven through eight innings. In the ninth, it was a solo home run by Rhode Island's Kyle Borden that proved to be the difference maker, giving Rhode Island an 8-7 win at Houlihan Park.
With the loss, Fordham moves to 8-18 overall, 3-3 in the Atlantic 10, while Rhode Island improved to 11-13 overall, 4-2 in league play.
Rhode Island opened the game with a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on a solo home run to left by Dan Haverstick, his second of the season.
Fordham quickly responded with a five-run second inning to lead 5-1. Ryan McCrann started the frame with a solo home run to right, his second of the season, to tie the game at one. Angelo Ponte followed with a ground rule double to center and scored on a single by Nick Martinez. P.J. Como then reached on an infield single that bounced off the third baseman, rolling into the outfield, where Haverstick was able to recover and throw out Martinez trying to go to third.
Ryan Maghini then doubled to center, moving Como to third with one out. Brian Kownacki continued the rally with a triple to right center, scoring both runners. Kownacki capped the rally by scoring on Ryan Lee's fielder's choice, beating the throw home from first base.
Rhode Island came right back to pull within one, 5-4 in the top of the third, getting RBI-doubles from Tom Coulombe and Mike LeBel and an RBI-single by Kyle Borden.
Fordham answered with two runs in the bottom of third to take a 7-4 lead. After Martinez reached on a catcher's interference call, Como hit a two-run home run to left center, his second of the season.
The score remained 7-4 in favor of Fordham until the top of the sixth. Rhode Island loaded the bases on two singles and a walk, and scored one run on a sacrifice fly by Haverstick. Fordham's John Flanagan then relieved starter Max Krakowiak and gave up a single to Mylan Adams, which scored a run, making it a 7-6 game. One batter later, Rhode Island tied the game on a ground out by Kenny Burns.
The score stayed tied at seventh until the ninth, when Borden hit a solo home run to left, his second of the year, giving Rhode Island an 8-7 lead.
Fordham attempted a ninth-inning rally, as Martinez led off with double. After a strikeout, Maghini drew a walk, putting runners at first and second with one out. Rhode Island reliever Gardner Leaver then got Kownacki on a fly ball and Lee on a ground out to end the game in favor of Rhode Island.
Rhode Island's Dan Rossignol (4-1) recorded the win in relief, giving up just two hits in four innings with six strikeouts, while Leaver posted his third save of the season.
Flanagan (0-4) took the loss for Fordham, allowing one run on six hits in 3.2 innings with three strikeouts. Starter Max Krakowiak went the first 5.1 innings, giving up seven runs on nine hits with four strikeouts.
At the plate, Como was 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBI, while McCrann was also 3-for-5 with a home run. Martinez and Kownacki also had two hits apiece.
The Fordham baseball team will next be in action on Wednesday, April 7th, when they play at New York Tech, beginning at 3:00 PM.
