Box Score April 17, 2012
Box Score
Bronx, N.Y. -
Iona's Vinny Parisi threw four innings of three-hit relief, while Joe Torres and Jimmy Guiliano each scored two runs, as the Gaels topped the Fordham Rams, 5-3, at Houlihan Park on Tuesday night.
The loss snapped an eight-game win streak by Fordham against Iona, and moved Fordham to 15-23 on the season, while Iona improved to 14-22.
Iona struck right away in the first inning off Fordham starter John Porter. Joe Torres led off with a single and moved to second on a walk to Jimmy Guiliano. A fly ball then moved Torres to third and he scored on a ground out. Guiliano would steal second and come around to score on a double from Colin Lyall.
The Gaels extended the lead to 3-0 in the third, as Guiliano drew another walk, moved to third on a double, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Mike Chiaravallotti.
Fordham got on the board in the bottom of the frame. Ryan Phelan reached on a bunt single, was sacrificed to second by Matthew DeSilva, and scored on an RBI-double by Tim Swatek.
Iona increased its lead in the fifth, scoring twice for a 5-1 lead on an RBI-double from Chris Burke and on a fielder's choice by James Beck.
The Rams got within 5-3 in the bottom of the fifth, taking advantage of some wildness by Iona starting pitcher Steve Basile. Phelan open with a walk, and moved to second on a wild pitch. After a fly out, Swatek drew a walk to put runners at first and second. Basile got Ryan Lee on a strikeout, but Ryan Maghini singled up the middle to load the bases. Phelan and Swatek then scored on a pair of wild pitches to cut the deficit to 5-3.
The bullpens took over from there as both sides were stingy over the final four innings. Fordham's bullpen trio of Ryan Fedak, Zach Small, and Jordan Grangard combined for four hitless innings of relief, giving up just three base runners. Fedak pitched a scoreless sixth inning, while Small, making his first pitching appearance of the season, struck out four batters over two innings with Grangard striking out one in the ninth.
The Fordham group was matched by Iona's Vinny Parisi, who closed the game with four scoreless innings and four strikeouts for his first save of the season. Fordham's best chance came in the eighth inning, as Mike Mauri and Stephen McSherry connected for back-to-back singles to start the frame. Brian Kownacki sacrificed the runners to second and third, however Parisi got both Matthew Cianci and Ryan Phelan to fly out and end the threat.
Basile (3-1) earned the win, giving up three runs on five hits with four strikeouts in five innings for Iona. Porter (2-4) took the loss for the Rams, giving up four earned runs on nine hits and three walks.
At the plate, Swatek was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, while Phelan was 1-for-3 with two runs scored. Maghini and Mauri also had a pair of hits each for the Rams.
The Fordham baseball team will next be in action on Wednesday, April 18th, when the Rams travel to Hofstra for a 3:30 PM start in Hempstead, N.Y.
