Box Score May 27, 2010
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Camden, N.J. -
Despite another solid performance out of the Rams' offense, where the team tallied eight runs on 11 hits, Fordham was unable to totally recover from a six-run outburst by La Salle in the bottom of the fourth inning, as the Explorers eliminated the Fordham Rams from the Atlantic 10 Championship with a 10-8 victory at Campbell's Field in Camden, N.J.
Fordham concludes its season at 21-35, while La Salle advances to the 7:00 PM elimination game on Thursday night.
With the Explorers as the home team, La Salle opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI-single by Brendan Norton, scoring Brian Meagher, who reached on a fielder's choice and moved to second on a hit by pitch to Jon Gyles.
Fordham knotted the game at one in the top of the third inning. Brian Kownacki connected for a one-out single, stole second, and scored on a single by Chris Walker.
La Salle quickly regained a 2-1 lead in the bottom of third, as Meagher was hit by a pitch, stole second, and scored on a single by Gyles.
The Rams responded with a three-run fourth to take their first lead of the game at 4-2. Stephen McSherry opened with a walk and stole second. After a P.J. Como single to left moved McSherry to third, Ryan Maghini singled up the middle, scoring McSherry to tie the game with Como going to third. Nick Martinez then singled to right, scoring Como with Maghini to third. Kownacki then closed the scoring with an RBI-ground out to plate Maghini.
The Explorers came right back with a six-run spurt off Fordham starter John Flanagan and reliever J.P. Mack to retake an 8-4 edge. In the frame, La Salle received an RBI-double by Eric Kammler, a two-run triple from Dan Klem, a safety squeeze bunt by Meagher, and RBI-singles from Gyles and Jeff Flax.
Fordham looked to have something going in the top of the sixth, as Martinez doubled down the left field line with one out, while Kownacki drew a walk. Ryan McCrann then smoked a line drive right at the La Salle first baseman for an easy three unassisted double play to end the threat.
The Rams did however cash in for two runs in the top of the seventh inning, closing to within, 8-6, of the Explorers. Walker opened the rally with a walk and moved to second on a single by
Angelo Ponte. After a pair of outs, Como drew a walk to load the bases for pinch-hitter
Michael Taddei. Taddei then singled to left, scoring both Walker and Ponte.
La Salle answered right back, regaining a four-run lead at 10-6, picking up a pair of unearned runs, following a throwing error and a sacrifice fly.
Still trailing by four in the ninth against La Salle closer Pat Christensen, Fordham cut the Explorers' lead to 10-8 on a two-run home run by McSherry to right, his third of the season. Christensen though would get Como to strike out with Taddei popping out to third to end the ball game and the Rams' season.
For Fordham, Flanagan (0-6) took the loss, allowing seven runs on six hits and two walks in 3.2 innings, while Mack and Grangard finished the game out of the bullpen. Grangard pitched the final 4.1 innings, giving up two unearned runs on two hits with three strikeouts.
At the plate, Martinez was 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI, with Ponte and Como each having two hits and a run scored. McSherry and Taddei also had two RBI each.
