Box Score March 2, 2012
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score | Photo Gallery 
Bronx, N.Y. -
For fans that want to see great pitching performances, Friday's doubleheader between Fordham and Quinnipiac at Houlihan Park fit the bill to a tee, as the four starting pitchers combined to allow just seven hits to the opposing offenses, while posting 27 total strikeouts. However by day's end, each pitching staff came away with only one win, as Fordham took the opener, 3-2, while Quinnipiac won the nightcap, 2-0.
With the split, Fordham is 3-6 on the season, while Quinnipiac is 1-1.
In game one, Fordham's Chris Pike threw a season-high eight innings and struck out seven, while Tim Swatek and Ryan Lee had clutch run-scoring hits in the eighth inning, as the Rams pulled out a 3-2 come from behind win over the Bobcats.
Over the first six innings, the story was the starting pitching. Quinnipiac starter Derek Lamacchia threw six no-hit innings, while striking out 13 Ram batters and walking just two, while Fordham starter Chris Pike gave up only one hit over that time.
Fordham finally broke up Quinnipiac's no-hit bid in the seventh, when Ryan Maghini reached on a bunt single to third off reliever Kevin Castodio.
The Bobcats would crack the scoreless tie with two runs in the top of the eighth. Quinnipiac loaded the bases with two outs, when Pike uncorked a wild pitch to score the first runner from third. Quinnipiac's Vincent Guglietti then struck out, but the ball got past Fordham catcher Ryan Phelan, allowing another run to score on a passed ball.
The Rams battled back immediately, as Stephen McSherry and Ryan Phelan each drew a walk from Castodio, which ended his day. McSherry stole third to set up first and third for pinch-hitter Matthew Cianci, but Cianci was struck out looking by Matthew Siciliano.
Following a sacrifice bunt by Brian Kownacki to advance pinch-runner Jack Buckley to second, Tim Swatek came up with a huge two-run double down the left field line, scoring McSherry and Buckley to tie the game. Lee followed with an RBI-single to center, scoring Swatek, and extending Lee's career-best hit streak to 12 games, dating back to last year.
Fordham reliever Rich Anastasi made that lead hold up with his first save of the season, pitching a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout. Pike (1-0) earned the win, allowing one earned run on two hits with seven strikeouts.
In game two, Quinnipiac's George Dummar threw a two-hit, seven-inning shutout, while Guglietti and Forrest Dwyer each drove in a run, as the Bobcats defeated the Rams, 2-0.
The Bobcats picked up single runs in the second and third innings off Fordham starter Jordan Grangard. In the second, with one on and two outs, Brian Ruditys hit a line drive to first that Swatek thought he had lined up for the final out of the inning, but he dropped the ball, allowing the inning to continue. After a walk loaded the bases, Dwyer connected for an RBI-single to right, scoring Scott Donaghue from third.
Then in the third, Mike Blumenthal opened the frame with a single, stole second and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Guglietti.
Fordham's offensive struggles continued, as the Rams were hitless until the fifth, when McSherry dropped a looping hit over the shortstop's head for a double.
The Rams had one final chance to get on the board in the seventh against Dummar. With two outs, pinch-hitter Brendan Maghini doubled into the right center gap with McSherry drawing a walk. Dummar however ended the threat by getting pinch-hitter Joseph Conway to ground into a fielder's choice.
Grangard (0-2) was the hard luck loser for the Rams, as he threw a career-high seven innings for his first career complete game, allowing one earned run on three hits with three strikeouts.
The Fordham baseball team will next be in action on Sunday, March 4th, when the Rams host Hofstra for a doubleheader beginning at noon at Houlihan Park.
