April 10, 2012

Fordham-Rutgers Game Notes

Piscataway, N.J. - The Fordham Rams look for their first four-game win streak of the season on Tuesday, when the team travels to New Jersey for a match-up with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Fordham enters the contest after a three-game sweep of the Temple Owls, while Rutgers dropped two of three games to the St. John's Red Storm.

Though only one game separates the all-time series record in favor of Rutgers at 27-26-3, the Scarlet Knights are 4-0-1 against Fordham since the Rams' last win, which came in 1990.

PROBABLE STARTERS:
Fordham - RHP Jonathan Reich (0-2) vs. RHP Pat O'Leary (0-0) | | Rutgers Radio

SCOUTING RUTGERS: The Scarlet Knights are 15-15 on the season with a 4-5 mark in the Big East Conference.

The team is batting .291 on the year with a team ERA of 5.04. Leading the way individually is Patrick Kivelehan, who lead the squad with a .366 batting average, six home runs, 11 stolen bases, and a .645 slugging percentage. Nick Favatella is also a big bat in the Rutgers' line-up, leading the team with 23 RBI and 28 runs scored.

On the hill, RHP Pat O'Leary is the probable starter for Rutgers. O'Leary has appeared in five games, making one start. He has a 5.25 ERA and seven strikeouts in 12.0 innings pitched.

WE'RE GOING STREAKIN': Mike Mauri has a career-high six game hit streak, heading into Tuesday's game. He is batting .435 (10-23) with six RBI, six runs scored, and three stolen bases... Ryan Lee is batting .385 over his last six games with four runs scored and three RBI... Stephen McSherry has six RBI in his last six games... Joseph Charest is 3-1 with two complete games in his last four starts, posting a 2.12 ERA and a .155 opponent batting average in 34.0 innings pitched. He has also taken no-hit bids into the sixth inning or beyond twice in those four starts... Chris Pike is 2-0 in his last four starts with a 3.13 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 31.2 innings pitched... John Porter is 2-1 with a 2.65 ERA in his last six appearances to go a .258 opponent batting average... Jeremy Adel has a win, three saves, and a 0.00 ERA in his last eight appearances.

CLOSING IN: Two of the Fordham seniors are slowly closing in on some career milestones over the coming weeks.

Senior Brian Kownacki is creeping up on 200 games played and 200 career hits. He currently stands at 187 games played, which is tied for 9th all-time at Fordham, while collecting 195 hits, which is 14th all-time. He is also among the career leaders in triples with 10, which is tied for eighth on the career list.

Senior Ryan Maghini had a milestone of his own during the Temple series, as he surpassed 100 consecutive starts. He has 102 entering this week. His last non-start was the back end of a doubleheader against Columbia on April 28, 2010.

UPCOMING GAMES: The Rams will continue their five-game road swing on Wednesday, when the Rams play at Manhattan, beginning at 3:30 PM. Fordham then travels to Dayton for a three-game series, beginning on Friday. The Rams will return home on April 17th, when the team hosts Iona at 7:00 PM.