April 5, 2012

Fordham-Temple Game Notes

Bronx, N.Y. - The Fordham Rams return home for a three-game Atlantic 10 series with the Temple Owls this weekend, as the squads match-up for a big early season series.

Fordham is coming off a series win at St. Bonaventure to even its conference record at 3-3, while Temple is at 0-3 in the league after being swept by Saint Louis during the opening weekend of conference play.

The Rams and Owls have not met since the 2009 season, but Fordham has dominated the series lately, having won the last eight meetings and 16 of the last 18 meetings since 2004.

PROBABLE STARTERS:
Friday - Fordham - RHP Daniel Munday (1-2) vs. RHP Dan Moller (0-3) | | Watch | WFUV Audio
Saturday - Game 1 - Fordham - RHP Chris Pike (2-0) vs. RHP Matt Hockenberry (4-1) | | Watch | WFUV Audio
Saturday - Game 2 - Fordham - RHP Joseph Charest (2-5) vs. LHP Patrick Peterson (2-1) | | Watch | WFUV Audio

SCOUTING TEMPLE: The Owls are 12-16 on the season with a 0-3 mark in the Atlantic 10.

The team is batting .280 on the year with a team ERA of 5.02. Leading the way individually is All-Atlantic 10 performer Steve Nikorak, who leads the Owls with a .327 batting average, 27 runs scored, and 21 RBI. Foster Dunigan is batting .315 with nine RBI, while Elijah Yarborough has a team-high 11 doubles to go with 16 RBI.

On the hill, Temple will go with the rotation of RHP Dan Moller, RHP Matt Hockenberry, and LHP Patrick Peterson. Moller has started four of his seven appearances this season, posting a 0-3 record with a 10.29 ERA. Hockenberry leads Temple with a 4-1 record in eight appearances with a 5.05 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 35.2 innings pitched. Peterson is the top strikeout man for the Owls, totaling 40 in 39.1 innings pitch to go with a 2-1 record and a 2.29 ERA. In the bullpen, RHP Brian Sustersic is the closer with four saves this year in 11 appearances.

FRESHMAN Matthew Cianci NAMED ATLANTIC 10 ROOKIE OF THE WEEK (4/2): Fordham University freshman outfielder Matthew Cianci (Far Hills, N.J./Seton Hall Prep) was named Atlantic 10 Baseball Rookie of the Week, today by the conference office. It is his first career weekly honor.

Cianci helped Fordham to a 3-1 week, including a series win at St. Bonaventure. The rookie outfielder hit .333 (6-18) over the Rams' four outings with three RBI and a pair of stolen bases.

He opened the week with two hits and two RBI against LIU-Brooklyn, before hitting .308 in Fordham's three-game set at St. Bonaventure. Cianci tied his season-high with three hits against the Bonnies on Sunday, as Fordham claimed the series with a 6-3 victory.

On the season, Cianci leads the Rams with 17 runs scored and is tied for the team lead with seven stolen bases.

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 184 games played, which is tied for 11th all-time at Fordham, while collecting 192 hits, which is 15th 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 is also closing in on a milestone of his own, as he closes in on 100 consecutive starts. He has 99 entering this weekend. His last non-start was the back end of a doubleheader against Columbia on April 28, 2010.

UPCOMING GAMES: The Rams will play five straight games on the road next week, beginning at Rutgers on April 10th. Fordham will also be at Manhattan on April 11th, and at Dayton for a three-game A-10 series from April 13-15. Fordham comes back home on April 17th for a 7:00 PM game versus Iona.