Box Score April 3, 2013
Box Score
Bronx, N.Y. -
Despite a 12-hit attack from the offense, which included Joseph DeVito's first career home run, the Fordham Rams' comeback effort fell short at Van Cortlandt Park on Wednesday, as the Rams were edged out by the Manhattan Jaspers by a 5-4 score.
With the loss, Fordham falls to 11-15 on the season, while Manhattan improved to 11-14.
Manhattan opened the scoring with three runs in the top of the first inning, highlighted by a two-run home run by Andrew Gorecki and an RBI-single from Kyle Murphy.
Fordham got on the board in the fourth, as the Rams loaded the bases with one out. Matthew Cianci and Charles Galiano opened the frame with back-to-back bunt singles, and were sacrificed up a base by Ryan McNally. After a walk to Mike Mauri loaded the bases, Joseph Runco scored Cianci with a fielder's choice to shortstop, making it a 3-1 game.
The Jaspers got that run right back in the bottom of the fourth, as Nick Camastro doubled to left center with one out, and scored on a two-out double by Ramon Ortega.
The Rams closed the gap to 4-2 in the sixth, when McNally connected for a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Tim Swatek from third. Swatek opened the inning with a single to left, moved to second on a single by Cianci, and advanced to third on a fly ball.
Manhattan responded quickly once again to regain the three-run lead. Murphy doubled with two outs and scored on a single by Brendan Slattery.
The Rams continued to battle back in the seventh, as Joseph DeVito drilled a solo home run to left, the first of his career, to make it a 5-3 game.
Fordham got another run back in the eighth, courtesy of an RBI-single by Runco, his second RBI of the game. With one out, Galiano singled to center and moved to third on a hit by Mauri. Galiano then scored on the Runco single, making it 5-4.
The Rams looked prepped to mount a ninth-inning rally, as pinch-hitter Dan Sorine singled through the left side with one out and moved to second on DeVito's infield single. However, Manhattan reliever Jacob Marchus struck out Swatek and got Cianci to fly out to left to end the game.
Fordham starter Cody Johnson (2-1) took the loss, allowing three runs on three hits in two innings of work. J.C. Porter pitched the next three innings, giving up one run on two hits with two strikeouts. Rich Anastasi (1 R, 2 H), Jimmy Murphy (1 BB, 2 K), and Brett Kennedy (1 BB, 1 K) each pitched an inning of relief to close out the Ram hurlers.
At the plate, Runco was 2-for-4 with two RBI, while DeVito was 2-for-4 with a home run. Galiano and Cianci also finished with multi-hit games for the Rams.
The Rams will next be in action on Friday, April 5th, when Fordham travels to Atlanta to begin a three-game series against Georgia State, beginning at 6:00 PM.
