Box Score March 17, 2012
Box Score
South Orange, N.J. -
After being shut out on day one of the Strike Out Cancer Tournament, the Fordham Rams rebounded on day two, getting a clutch two-run double by Mike Mauri in the fifth inning to top the Maine Black Bears, 6-5, at Owen T. Carroll Field in South Orange, N.J.
Maine hit the scoreboard immediately in the first, as Michael Fransoso drew a walk and advanced to second on a failed pickoff attempt. He then stole third and scored on a ground out by Colin Gay.
Fordham knotted the game at one in the second. Mike Mauri singled with one out and stole second. Brendan Maghini followed with a two-out single up the middle, scoring Mauri from second.
The Rams took their first lead of the game in the third, as Matthew Cianci singled up the middle with one out, and moved to third on a double by Ryan Lee. Cianci then scored on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Maghini, while Lee was plated by an RBI-single from Tim Swatek.
Maine closed the gap to 3-2 in the fourth on a solo home run to left by Justin Leisenheimer.
The Rams then picked up three runs in the bottom of the fifth, extending the lead to 6-2. The inning began with a single by Joseph Calabrese and Cianci being hit by a pitch. Ryan Maghini then reached on a fielder's choice, as Troy Black failed to catch the ball at second for a force out and the ball went into right field. Calabrese scored on the play with Cianci taking third and Maghini second. After an intentional walk to Swatek, Mauri ripped a two-run double down the left field line, scoring Cianci and Maghini.
Maine closed the gap to 6-5, as the Black Bears scored once in the sixth and twice in the eighth, courtesy of two Fordham errors.
Fordham though was able to close out the win in the ninth, as with two outs and a runner at first, Fordham catcher Ryan Phelan was able to gun down Tyler Patzalek trying to steal second and end the game.
Starter Chris Pike improved to 2-0 on the season, allowing one earned run on eight hits over 7.2 innings of work with four strikeouts. Rich Anastasi recorded his second save of the season, pitching the final 1.1 innings with one strikeout.
At the plate, Mauri was 2-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and two RBI, while Cianci was 1-for-3 with two runs scored.
The same two teams will meet up again on Sunday at 10:00 AM to close out play at the Strike Out Cancer Tournament.
