April 16, 2013

Bronx, N.Y. - The Fordham baseball team looks to shake off this past weekend's games on Tuesday night, as the Rams host the Iona Gaels for the second time this season. Fordham defeated the Gaels, 4-3, in the earlier meeting in March.

This will be the 79th all-meeting between Fordham and Iona. Fordham holds a 51-26-1 all-time series lead after defeating Iona, 4-3 early in the year.

PROBABLE STARTERS:
Fordham - RHP J.C. Porter (1-2) vs. Iona - TBA | | Watch | WFUV Audio

SCOUTING IONA: This is the second meeting with Iona this season for Fordham. The Rams defeated the Gaels, 4-3, in the first encounter, back on March 1st. In that game, Joseph Charest tossed a complete game seven-hitter to record the win, while Mike Mauri was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, an RBI, and a stolen base.

The Gaels come into today with a 4-30 record, 1-11 in the MAAC. The team is hitting .238 with a 6.30 team ERA.

LAST TIME OUT: 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.

UPCOMING GAMES: The Rams will face off against another MAAC opponent on Wednesday, April 17th, the team travels to Siena for a 3:30 PM start. Fordham then begins a three-game home series on Friday against George Washington.