Box Score March 8, 2011
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Bronx, N.Y. -
Behind five innings of two-hit relief from the Fordham bullpen and multi-hit games from Joe Russo and Ryan Lee, the Rams posted their ninth win in 11 starts with a 7-3 win over the New York Tech Bears at Houlihan Park on Tuesday.
The Rams (9-2) opened the scoring with a three-run first inning, as Nick Martinez and Brian Kownacki opened with back-to-back walks. Ryan Lee extended his hit streak to six games with an RBI-single to left, scoring Martinez. Joe Russo then hit a ground ball to the left side that went by the shortstop, which allowed Kownacki to score from second. After another ground out, Ryan David plated Lee with an RBI-ground out and a 3-0 lead.
After the Bears (0-4) got a run back in the third, Fordham replied in kind in the bottom of the frame. Russo roped a double down the left field line, and then came in to score on a single up the middle by Stephen McSherry.
The Bears cut the lead to 4-3 in the fourth on a two-run double by George Carroll, but Fordham again had the answer with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Ryan Maghini led off the Fordham fourth with a walk and scored on a triple by Alex Kenny, his second of the year. Martinez then drew his second walk of the game, and stole second. However the throw was off line, and went into centerfield, allowing Kenny to score from third.
Fordham starter John Flanagan tried to get through the fifth inning, but a leadoff walk to Jerry Smith ended his day after four plus innings, allowing three runs on two hits and five walks. Reliever Rich Anastasi came in and struck out the next three batters to end the possible scoring threat and keep Fordham in the lead.
The Rams added an insurance run in the seventh, as Lee led off with a triple down the right field line, and scored on a single by Russo.
Anastasi along with bullpen mates, Joseph Charest and Chris Pike, would hold onto that lead with a combined five innings of two-hit relief and nine strikeouts, as Fordham clinched the 7-3 win.
Anastasi (3-0) was credited with the win, allowing just one hit in three innings of relief with six strikeouts. Charest pitched a scoreless eighth as he got out of a bases loaded jam with a double play, while Pike struck out three batters in the ninth to close out the win.
At the plate, Lee was 2-for-4 with a triple, two runs scored and an RBI, while Russo added three hits and two RBI. Martinez was also 1-for-3 with a pair of walks and a stolen base.
The Fordham baseball team will next be in action on Friday, March 11th, when the Rams open up a four-game set at Charleston Southern University, beginning at 3:00 PM.
