May 4, 2012

Fordham-Rhode Island Game Notes

Bronx, N.Y. - The Fordham Rams conclude their home schedule this weekend, as the team hosts the Rhode Island Rams for a three-game Atlantic 10 series.

With only six conference games remaining, Fordham is still holding on to the final playoff spot in sixth place, but welcome the top team in the league in Rhode Island.

Pitching should be the key in the series, as in conference play, Rhode Island and Fordham rank first and second in team ERA with Rhode Island at 2.98 and Fordham at 3.21.

PROBABLE STARTERS:
Friday - Fordham - RHP Daniel Munday (4-3) vs. URI - LHP Chris Pickering (5-6) | | WFUV Audio
Saturday - Fordham - RHP Joseph Charest (4-7) vs. URI - LHP Nick Narodowy (1-6) | | WFUV Audio
Sunday - Fordham - RHP Chris Pike (3-1) vs. URI - RHP Sean Furney (4-0) | | Live Video | WFUV Audio

SCOUTING RHODE ISLAND: The Rhode Island Rams are 26-19 on the year with an 11-4 mark in conference play.

The team is batting .282 to go with a 4.46 ERA. Leading the Rams offensivley, Jeff Roy is hitting a team-best .367 to go with 48 runs scored, 11 doubles and 27 RBI. Jeff Cammans is also one of the top hitters, batting .335 with 18 doubles and 44 RBI. The duo has also combined for 33 stolen bases this season.

On the hill, Rhode Island will send the trio of LHP Chris Pickering, LHP Nick Narodowy, and RHP Sean Furney. Pickering is 5-6 this season in 11 starts, posting a 6.75 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 64.0 innings pitched. Narodowy is 1-6 on the year with a 4.38 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 49.1 innings pitched. Furney rounds out the trio with a 4-0 record and a 2.47 ERA.

In the bullpen, Mike Bradstreet leads the team with nine saves in 20 appearances, posting a 2.86 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 28.1 innings.

WE'RE GOING STREAKIN': Mike Mauri is hitting .419 (13-31) over his last 10 games with five runs scored, four RBI, and three stolen bases... Tim Swatek has a seven-game hit streak entering this weekend's series...Stephen McSherry is hitting .367 (11-30) over his last 10 games with six RBI... Rich Anastasi has allowed one earned run in his last 10 appearances (17.1 IP)... In the La Salle series, Joseph Charest and Daniel Munday became the first Fordham pitchers to throw back-to-back complete game wins, since Chris Pike and Max Krakowiak did so against La Salle on March 26th & 27th of last season.

GOING THE DISTANCE: The Fordham Rams have gotten a lot out of their starting pitching staff this season. The Rams have gotten six complete games this season, four of which are from junior Joseph Charest, who leads the team with 81.1 innings pitched. His four complete games are the most by a Fordham pitcher since 2005, when Tom Davis tossed five complete games and Cory Riordan threw four.

UPCOMING GAMES: The Rams end the regular season with two games at Boston College (May 12-13) and a three-game series at Richmond (May 17-19).