Box Score April 14, 2013
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Bronx, N.Y. -
For the second straight day, Rhode Island's Mike LeBel provided the power, hitting a two-run run home run in the sixth inning, while URI's bullpen did the rest, as Rhode Island compete a sweep of Fordham at Houlihan Park by a score of 4-2.
The game started well for the two starting pitchers, Jimmy Murphy for Fordham and Steve Moyers for URI. Murphy faced the minimum over the first four innings, recording five strikeouts over that stretch, while Moyers was clean through the first two innings, before Fordham got to him in the third.
Fordham (12-23, 1-8 A10) got a leadoff walk by Ian Edmiston, who then moved to second on a wild pitch. After a pair of outs, Moyers lost the strike zone, tossing three straight walks to Tim Swatek, Joseph Runco, and Mike Mauri on 12 pitches to force in a run.
The hits were hard to come by on Sunday, but after Rhode Island recorded the first hit of the game in the fifth, the visiting Rams rallied for three runs in the sixth to take a 3-1 lead. With one on and two out, a failed pickoff attempt by Fordham moved the runner to second. Pat Quinn then singled to left, scoring Tim Caputo from second. Mike LeBel followed with a two-run home run to left, his third of the season and second in as many days.
Fordham tried to answer back in the bottom of the frame with runners at second and third with two outs. Mauri and Charles Galiano were both hit by pitches, while Dan Sorine advanced the runners on a sacrifice. After a pop up, a pitch got away from catcher Pat Quinn, but he recovered in time to tag out Mauri trying to score.
Rhode Island extended the lead to 4-1 in the ninth, taking advantage of another failed pickoff attempt by Fordham, which allowed a runner to score from third.
Rhode Island then had history on its mind, having not allowed a hit through the first eight innings. The ninth inning began with pinch-hitter Brendan Maghini being hit by a pitch and advancing to second on a balk. After a pair of outs, it was up to Ryan McNally against URI reliever Tyler Bowditch for the no-hit bid. McNally was able to line a shot just out of the first baseman's reach for a single, scoring Maghini from second.
Fordham, now down 4-2, tried to rally back completely, as both Joseph DeVito and Swatek drew walks to load the bases, putting the potential tying run at second. URI reliever Bobby Dean though struck out Runco to end the game and complete the sweep.
For Fordham, Murphy (0-1) took the loss, allowing three runs on five hits over seven innings with three walks and eight strikeouts, while Rich Anastasi and Swatek each pitched an inning of relief.
The Fordham baseball team will next be in action on Tuesday, April 16th, when the Rams host Iona for a 7:00 PM contest at Houlihan Park.
