Box Score March 27, 2011
Box Score
Philadelphia, Pa. -
With starting pitching as the main storyline through the first two games of the Fordham-La Salle series, it was only fitting that the series finale maintained the same theme. On Sunday, Fordham's Max Krakowiak threw a complete game three-hitter, the third straight game a Fordham pitcher has thrown a complete game, as the Rams took the series finale, 7-1, to win the series over the Explorers at Hank Devincent Field in Philadelphia.
With the win, Fordham improves to 14-9 overall, 2-1 in the Atlantic 10, while La Salle falls to 13-10 on the year, 1-2 in the league.
Fordham got on the board early with two runs in the first inning, courtesy of two errors by the Explorers. Nick Martinez opened the game by reaching on a throwing error, and moved to second on a wild pitch. After a walk to Ryan David, another error by La Salle loaded the bases for Chris Walker, who delivered a two-run single to right, scoring Martinez and David.
La Salle cut the lead to 2-1 with a single run in the fourth, but Fordham got that run back in the sixth, as Ryan Lee singled to center, stole second, and scored on an RBI-single by Joe Russo.
The Rams then broke the game open with a four-run eighth inning to take a 7-1 lead. Lee once again got the rally started with a single, and moved to third on a single by Walker. After a wild pitch moved Walker to second and a walk to Brian Kownacki loaded the bases, Russo connected for a two-run single off La Salle reliever Dominic Sgroi to score Walker and Lee with Kownacki going to third. After a pair of outs, Russo stole second, which was followed by a two-run single to right by Rob McCunney, scoring both Kownacki and Russo.
The run support was plenty for Krakowiak, who threw his fourth career complete game and improved to 3-2 on the season. He allowed just one unearned run on three hits with three strikeouts, while only three La Salle batters reached third base in the game.
At the plate, Russo led the attack, going 2-for-4 with three RBI, while Lee was 3-for-5 with two runs scored and a stolen base. Walker also had a multi-hit game for the Rams, going 2-for-5 with two RBI.
The Fordham baseball team will next be in action on Tuesday, March 29th, when the Rams travel to Fairfield, Connecticut, for a 3:30 PM game against the Fairfield Stags.
