Box Score May 19, 2011
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Bronx, N.Y. -
The race for the Atlantic 10 playoffs got just a bit tighter on Thursday, as Xavier's Ben Thomas registered three of the Musketeers' 12 hits, while Jon Richard allowed just one run and scattered seven hits, as Xavier took the A-10 series opener from Fordham by a score of 6-1 at Houlihan Park.
With the loss, Fordham falls to 30-22-1 overall, 11-10-1 in the Atlantic 10, while Xavier improves to 29-24 on the year, 13-9 in the league. The Rams still remain a half game behind Richmond and St. Bonaventure for the final playoff spot, while La Salle, who plays later tonight is one game ahead.
Xavier quickly grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first, capitalizing on a two-out double by Seth Willoughby, scoring Phil Bauer, who reached base on a two-out walk.
The Rams tied the game in the fourth, as Chris Walker drew a walk, and moved to second on a single by Ryan Lee. A balk would advance the runners up a base with Walker scoring on a ground out by Joe Russo.
The Musketeers responded right away to take a 2-1 lead in the fifth. Mark Elwell was hit by a pitch to start the frame with John McCambridge laying down a sacrifice bunt. However, Fordham pitcher Brian Pendergast would throw wide of first on the bunt, allowing Elwell to come all the way around to score from first.
Xavier would then tack on single runs in the seventh and eighth innings, as well as two in the ninth to seal a 6-1 victory.
Xavier's pitching duo of Jon Richard and Markus Kuykendoll would keep Fordham from mounting a comeback, as they scattered 10 hits and posted 10 strikeouts. Richard got the win, improving to 5-4, allowing one run on seven hits with seven strikeouts in 6.2 innings, while Kuykendoll recorded his first save of the year, pitching 2.1 innings of three-hit relief with three strikeouts.
Pendergast (2-8) took the loss for the Rams, allowing two runs on six hits in 5.2 innings of work. Rich Anastasi pitched 2.1 innings of relief, giving up two earned runs on four hits, while Joseph Charest gave up one run on two hits in one inning of relief.
At the plate, Ryan David had his first career four-hit game, going 4-for-4 with four singles, while Lee and Mike Mauri were each 2-for-4 in the game.
The same two teams will match-up on Friday with game time set for noon.
