Box Score Feb. 20, 2011
Box Score
Richmond, Va. -
Following a strong pitching performance on Saturday, Fordham had another great effort from its pitching staff, allowing just one run and stranding 11 VCU runners on base, as Fordham pulled out the rubber game of the series against VCU by a 3-1 score.
With the win, Fordham improves to 2-1, while VCU falls to 1-2.
Fordham got on the board quickly in the first, as Nick Martinez led off with a double to center, moved to third on a Ryan David ground out, and scored on an RBI-single by Chris Walker.
VCU looked ready to respond in the bottom of the first, as they loaded the bases with one out. However, Fordham starter Jeremy Adel got a strikeout and a fly ball to right to keep the game at 1-0 in favor of Fordham.
Fordham increased its lead in the top of the second, as Alex Kenny ripped a two-out triple to left center. Ryan Maghini then hit a sharp ground ball that the VCU shortstop couldn't handle, allowing Kenny to score from third for a 2-0 edge.
Fordham made it three straight innings with a run, as Martinez started another rally with a single to left. An error by VCU starter Kyle Haynes allowed David to reach base with Martinez taking second. After a wild pitch, Walker hit a sacrifice fly right, scoring Martinez for a 3-0 lead.
VCU cut the Fordham lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth, as with one on and two outs, Paul Nice doubled to right, moving Bill Cullen to third. John Lenherr was then able to get a bunt down for an infield single to score Nice from third.
VCU threatened again in the bottom of the sixth with runners at second and third with one out. Fordham reliever Rich Anastasi would strike out Kyle Sutherland, and then Chris Pike came in and got Nick Kime to ground out to second.
Another prime scoring opportunity came across for VCU in the seventh, as the first two batters connected for back-to-back singles. Pike however would bear down for Fordham, getting a ground ball double play and a fly ball to keep his team ahead, 3-1.
Fordham would hold VCU off over the final two innings to finish off the 3-1 win, as VCU had 11 runners left on base by games' end.
For Fordham, starter Jeremy Adel went the first three innings and pitched well, allowing three hits, while reliever Brian Thompson, allowed one run in 1.2 innings. Reliever Rich Anastasi (1-0) got credit for the win, allowing two hits and striking out three in one inning of work. Freshman Chris Pike recorded his first career save, closing out the final 3.1 innings, giving up just two hits and striking out four.
At the plate, Martinez led the attack with a 2-for-4 day with two runs scored and a double, while Kenny was 2-for-4 with a triple and a run scored. Walker finished the day 1-for-3 with two RBI.
The Fordham baseball team will next be in action February 26-27, as they play a three-game series against Iona College in Asheboro, North Carolina.
