March 8, 2013

Bronx, N.Y. - Having won six of its last seven games, the Fordham baseball team wraps up its homestand this weekend, as the Rams host the Stony Brook Seawolves for a doubleheader on Saturday. The first game is now scheduled for a 2:00 PM start from its original noon start time.

Thus far, Fordham is 5-1 at the friendly confines of Houlihan Park and look to end this string of home games on a high note.

The Rams will try to do it against one of the team's toughest opponents in Stony Brook. Since the Seawolves elavated to Division I, Stony Brook is 9-1 against Fordham with the Rams lone victory coming in 2008.

PROBABLE STARTERS:
Game 1 - Fordham - RHP Joseph Charest (1-1) vs. Stony Brook - Brandon McNitt (0-1) | | Watch
Game 2 - Fordham - RHP Joseph Serrapica (1-0) vs. Stony Brook - Frankie Vanderka (0-2) |

SCOUTING STONY BROOK: A year removed from an appearance at the College World Series, the Seawolves are 1-9 this season after defeating Iona, 5-1 on Tuesday. Previously, the Seawolves had play series against FIU, North Carolina, and UNC-Wilmington.

Offensively, Johnny Caputo leads the squad with three doubles and five RBI, while collecting 10 hits. On the hill, Brandon McNitt (0-1, 6.00 ERA) and Frankie Vanderka (0-2, 3.38 ERA) are listed as the probable starters.

LAST TIME OUT: After being shut out on Sunday against Lehigh, the Fordham baseball team almost returned the favor against Wagner today, as Cody Johnson tosses seven shutout innings in the Rams' 8-1 win over the Seahawks at Houlihan Park.

Fordham got on the scoreboard immediately in the first inning, scoring three times. With two out, Tim Swatek was hit by a pitch and stole second. Mike Mauri then drew a walk, which was followed by an RBI-single from Ryan Lee, scoring Swatek and moving Mauri to second. Joseph Runco was the next batter, lifting a fly ball to right that the Wagner player lost in the sun, giving Runco a double and two RBI, as both Mauri and Lee came around to score.

Rams' starter Cody Johnson held Wagner in check over the first six innings, allowing just three singles and a walk.

Johnson then got more insurance in the bottom of the sixth, as the Rams plated five more runs for an 8-0 lead. Matthew Cianci started the rally with a single down the right field line. Ian Edmiston then laid down a sacrifice bunt, but a bad throw allowed Edmiston to reach base with Cianci taking third. Swatek followed with an RBI-single to score Cianci.

After a ground out advanced the runners, Lee hit a ground ball to first for an out, allowing Edmiston to score from third. Charles Galiano was then hit by a pitch for the third time in the game, while Runco walked to load the bases. Ryan McNally followed with a bases clearing double to left center, making it an 8-0 game.

The eight-run cushion was more than enough for Johnson, as he improved to 2-0 on the season. He finished with seven shutout innings, allowing three hits and one walk with one strikeout. Dan Sorine and Ryan Fedak closed out the final two innings, allowing just one unearned run in the ninth, securing the win.

At the plate, Lee was 2-for-5 with two RBI, while Swatek was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, a stolen base, and an RBI. Cianci also had a multi-hit game (2-for-5) with Runco and McNally combining for five RBI in the contest.

UPCOMING GAMES: The Rams are scheduled to play a doubleheader at Stony Brook on Sunday, March 10th, beginning at noon.