Saint Louis' Danny Brennan drove in three runs, while Michael Bozarth scored three times, as the Billikens took game two of their Atlantic 10 series from the Fordham Rams, 7-4, at the Billiken Sports Center in St. Louis, Missouri.Â
The loss drops Fordham to 21-26 overall, 11-12 in the Atlantic 10, while Saint Louis improved to 30-18 on the year, 16-6 in the league.
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Fordham got the scoring started right away in the first, as
Matthew Cianci reached on an infield single, moved to third on a ground out and wild pitch, and scored on a single from
Tim Swatek.
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The Billikens responded quickly with two runs of their own in the first, scoring both on an error.
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Michael Borzath then made it a 3-1 game in the third, blasting a solo home run to left field, his first of the season.
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Fordham pulled back within one in the fourth, as the Rams took advantage of an error.Â
Rob McCunney reached on an error to start the frame and moved to second on a walk to
Matthew Kozuch. After a sacrifice bunt moved the runners up, Cianci plated McCunney with a ground out to second.
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However, the Billikens would increase their lead again in the sixth, scoring three times to go ahead 6-2, highlighted by a two-run single by Brennan.
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The Rams replied in kind with two runs of their own to get within two, 6-4, in the seventh inning. Cianci opened with a walk and moved to second on a single by
Joseph Runco. After a double steal, Swatek brought home both runners with a two-run single to right center.
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Saint Louis closed out the scoring with a single run in the eighth for a 7-4 final score.
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Fordham starting pitcher
Brett Kennedy (5-7) took the loss, allowing four earned runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts, while
J.C. Porter threw two innings of two-hit relief.Â
Cody Johnson pitched the final 1/3 of the inning.
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At the plate, Swatek was 2-for-3 with three RBI, while Cianci was 1-for-4 with two runs scored.
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The same two team will conclude their series at 1:00 PM Eastern on Sunday.
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