Box Score Feb. 18, 2012
Box Score
Cullowhee, N.C. -
Similar to the opening game of the series, the Fordham-Western Carolina finale on Saturday was another wild affair with 21 total runs scored and 12 pitchers used. Unfortunately for the Rams, the result was the same, falling to Western Carolina by a 12-9 score at Hennon Stadium in Cullowhee, North Carolina.
After a scoreless first inning, Western Carolina notched three runs in the second to open the scoring, highlighted by an RBI-triple by Julian Ridings and an RBI-single from Connor Andrus.
The Catamounts extended their lead to 7-0 with four more runs in the third inning off Fordham starter Jordan Grangard, which was capped by a three-run double by Tyler White.
The Rams got on the board in the fifth, as Fordham took advantage of a walk and two errors by Western Carolina. Tim Swatek drew a leadoff walk and moved to third on a throwing error. Another Catamount error allowed Swatek to score from third with the first run of the game for the Rams.
Western Carolina came right back with two runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 9-1 lead. Dykota Spiess connected for a one-out double and scored on a single by White. After White stole second, he was brought home by an Andrus RBI-single.
The Rams mounted a charge in the sixth to get back into the game, rallying for four runs to get within four at 9-5. With one out, Ryan Maghini and Mike Mauri drew back-to-back walks, which ended WCU starter Jeremy Null's outing. Adam Curtis came in from the bullpen and got the second out on a fielder's choice, but walked Zach Small to load the bases. Brian Kownacki then cleared the bases with a three-run double. Rob McCunney followed with an RBI-single to score Kownacki to make it a four-run deficit.
Fordham didn't stop there, scoring three times in the eighth to pull within one, 9-8. Mauri led off with a single and moved to second on a walk to Swatek. Following a pair of outs and a number of line-up changes, pinch-hitter
Brendan Maghini knocked out an RBI-single to score Mauri.
Ryan Lee then singled to load the bases with
Stephen McSherry drawing a walk to force in Swatek.
David Judisky then reached on an error, allowing Maghini to score.
Western Carolina though regained its four-run lead with three in the bottom of the frame to lead 12-8.
The Rams attempted a ninth inning rally as Swatek drew his third walk of the game and scored on an RBI-double by Small, making it, 12-9. However, Catamounts' reliever Preston Hatcher got the final two outs to end the ball game before the Rams could plate another run.
For Fordham, Grangard (0-1) took the loss, allowing five earned runs on eight hits in two-plus innings of work. John Porter threw four innings of relief, giving up two runs on five hits, while Rich Anastasi, Jonathan Reich, Dan Sorine, and Daniel Munday also saw time out of the bullpen.
At the plate, Swatek scored a career-high four runs, as he drew three walks in the game, while Kownacki was 2-for-5 with a double and three RBI and Small was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
The Catamounts' Null (1-0) got the win, allowing one run on three hits with eight strikeouts in 5.1 innings. Hatcher, who picked up the win in relief in game one, earned the save, pitching the final 1.1 innings, giving up one run on two hits. White collected three hits and four RBI to lead the Western Carolina offense.
The Fordham baseball team will next be in action on Friday, February 24th, when the Rams open a three-game series at Campbell University, beginning at 3:00 PM.
