Pike and Maghini's Peak Performances Lead Baseball to 5-1 Win Over Colonials

Box Score

April 20, 2013

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Bronx, N.Y. - On a day that Fordham baseball honored eight Ram legends, the Fordham baseball team did not disappoint the many in attendance, which included members of Frankie Frisch's and Dan Gallagher's families on Saturday. Junior starting pitcher Chris Pike threw eight strong innings, while fellow classmate Brendan Maghini had his first four-hit game, as the Rams topped the George Washington Colonials, 5-1, at Houlihan Park.

The day began with Fordham alumnus Jim Houlihan '74 presenting Fordham with eight plaques, honoring eight baseball Ram greats, who have been honored by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. The honorees included Frankie Frisch, Ed Walsh, Vin Scully, Jack Coffey, Dan Gallagher, John Kieran, Walter O'Malley, and Esteban Bellan.

Then, the game between the Rams and Colonials took center stage, as Fordham (13-26, 2-9) got out to a quick start, scoring once in the second inning and four times in the third to grab a 5-0 lead.

Ian Edmiston led off the second inning with a single up the middle and was sacrificed to second by Sam Careccia. After a walk to Dan Sorine and a single by Brendan Maghini loaded the bases, Joseph DeVito was hit by a pitch, forcing in Edmiston from third.

Brendan Maghini registers one of his four hits on the afternoon.

The third inning saw the Rams explode for four runs, as Fordham sent nine batters to the plate. Tim Swatek and Joseph Runco opened with back-to-back infield singles with Swatek scoring on an RBI-single by Charles Galiano. The hit ended George Washington starter Luke Staub's day, as Bobby Lewarne came in from the bullpen. Lawerne got the first out on a strikeout, but Careccia delivered a two-run single to center, scoring both Runco and Galiano for a 4-0 lead, with Careccia taking second on the throw home. Dan Sorine followed with an RBI-single to right, scoring Careccia for a five-run lead.

The five-run cushion was plenty for Fordham starter Chris Pike, as he earned his second win of the season, allowing only three baserunners to get to third base. Overall, Pike threw eight innings of six-hit ball, giving up only one run with eight strikeouts. Rich Anastasi closed out the game with a scoreless ninth, recording a strikeout and a double play to end the game.

At the plate, Maghini had the big day in his first start of the season, going 4-for-4 for his first career four-hit game, while Careccia was 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored. Runco continued his hot hitting with his fourth straight multi-hit game, as he was 2-for-4 with two stolen bases and a run scored.

The same two teams will play the rubber game of the series on Sunday at noon.