Box Score March 1, 2013
Box Score |
Photo Gallery 
Bronx, N.Y. -
Despite the chill in the air, it was the hot pitching of Fordham senior Joseph Charest that dominated Friday's contest Iona at Houlihan Park. Charest pitched his fifth career complete game and struck out seven, as Fordham topped Iona, 4-3.
With the win, Fordham improved to 4-2 on the season, while Iona fell to 1-6.
Fordham hit the scoreboard early, plating two runs in the first. With two outs and a runner on second, Mike Mauri delivered an RBI-single up the middle to score Matthew Cianci from second for a 1-0 lead. Mauri then stole second and scored on a single from Charles Galiano.
After Iona cut the lead in half in the third inning, Fordham scored twice in the sixth to extend the lead to 4-1. Mauri drew a leadoff walk to start the rally, brining Galiano to the plate. Galiano laid down the sacrifice, but an errant throw allowed him to reach base. After a sacrifice bunt by Ryan Phelan, Joseph Runco connected for a two-run single scoring both runners.
Iona closed the gap to 4-3 with single runs in the seventh and ninth innings. In the ninth, Matt Hratko recorded an RBI-single off Fordham starter Joseph Charest's glove, bringing the potential go-ahead run to the plate. However, Charest induced a 4-6-3 double play to end the contest, giving Fordham its fourth straight win.
Charest improved to 1-1 on the year, throwing his fifth career complete game. He allowed two earned runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts in his first win of the year.
At the plate, Mauri was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, a stolen base and an RBI, while Ian Edmiston also had a pair of hits. Runco ended the game 1-for-4 with two RBI.
The Fordham baseball team will be right back in action on Saturday, March 2nd, when the Rams host Lehigh for a noon game.
