March 27, 2012
Fordham-LIU Game Notes
Bronx, N.Y. -
Following a change in location, the Fordham Rams will now host a mid-week match-up with the LIU Blackbirds at Houlihan Park on Wednesday. This is the 51st all-time meeting between Fordham and LIU with the Rams holding a 35-15 edge in the series.
PROBABLE STARTERS:
Fordham - RHP Jordan Grangard (0-2) vs. LIU - TBA (0-2) | 
SCOUTING LIU: The Blackbirds are 9-14 this season, after dropping three of four games to Central Connecticut State this past weekend. LIU is hitting .272 as a club while holding down a 4.92 team ERA.
The Blackbirds are led by Pete Leonello, who is batting a team-best .363 with 16 runs scored, five doubles, and 11 RBI. Tyler Jones has a team-high 16 RBI to go with 10 runs scored, two home runs, and a .284 batting average.
On the hill, Tito Marrero has been the top reliever in nine appearances, recording one win and two saves with 11 strikeouts. The Blackbirds have not announced a starter for Wednesday's game.
WE'RE GOIN' STREAKIN': Mike Mauri is batting .321 over his last eight games, while collecting a home run and five RBI... Ryan Lee hit .556 during the Massachusetts series, posting two doubles and three RBI, while Tim Swatek hit .400 for the series (4-10)... The Rams have a 3.25 ERA and an opponent batting average of .231 as a staff over the last eight games... Rich Anastasi has a 1.59 ERA over his last three relief appearances... Joseph Charest is 1-1 with a complete game in his last two starts, posting a 2.12 ERA and a .155 opponent batting average in 17.0 innings pitched... Chris Pike is 1-0 in his last two starts with a 2.45 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 14.2 innings pitched.
MAURI & CHAREST NAMED TO STRIKE OUT CANCER ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM (3/18): Fordham juniors Mike Mauri and Joseph Charest were both selected to the Seton Hall Strike Out Cancer All-Tournament team, it was announced at the conclusion of the tournament on March 18th.
Mauri hit .455 for the tournament, collecting five hits in 11 at bats, while notching a double, a run scored and two RBI.
Charest tossed his first career complete game in a 3-2 win over Maine. He allowed two runs on four hits with three strikeouts, and induced a season-high 17 ground outs.
UPCOMING GAMES: The Rams are back on the road at St. Bonaventure for a three-game series, March 30-April 1. Fordham then returns home for a game against Fairfield on April 3rd at 3:30 PM.
