Baseball Splits Doubleheader with Georgia Tech

Atlanta, Ga. - (February 14, 2015) - The Fordham baseball team wrapped up its stay at the Atlanta Challenge in Georgia, as the Rams split a doubleheader with Georgia Tech, winning game one, 9-4, while dropping game two, 7-5.
 
The split puts Fordham's record at 1-2, while Georgia Tech is 2-1.
 
In game one, Fordham's Luke Stampfl tied a career-high with five RBI, while Jimmy Murphy and Kirk Haynes, Jr. held Georgia Tech in check, as the Rams won the opener, 9-4, over the Yellow Jackets.
 
The game was scoreless through the first four innings, when Fordham put three runs on the board.  With one out, Jason Lundy singled to center, and one out later moved to second on a walk to Matthew Kozuch.  After an infield single by Charles Galiano, Luke Stampfl laced a bases clearing to double to left for a 3-0 lead.

 
The Yellow Jackets got a run back in the bottom of the frame, but Fordham quickly scored in the sixth for a 4-1 edge.  Ryan McNally opened with a single and stole second.  He then advanced to third on a wild pitch, where the throw went into left field, allowing McNally to score.
 
Fordham starting pitcher Jimmy Murphy, making only his second appearance since the end of the 2013 season, got into the sixth inning, but found a bit of trouble as a one-out RBI-single by A.J. Murray forced him out of the game.  Kirk Haynes, Jr. came on in relief, but was greeted with an RBI-double from Keenan Innis and an RBI-triple by Brandon Gold, knotting the game at four after six innings.
 
The Rams kept the bats alive in the seventh, scoring four times to regain the lead.  After a single by Kozuch and a double by Galiano, Stampfl delivered again with a two-run double down the left field line.  After a pitching change and a ground out, McNally doubled down the left field line to score Stampfl, while Ian Edmiston singled through the left side to score McNally, making it, 8-4.
 
Fordham tacked on one more run in the eighth on an RBI-double from Kozuch, which scored Joseph Runco from first base, as he reached on a single.
 
Haynes, Jr. (1-0) earned the win in relief, as he allowed one run on two hits over 3.2 innings of work with four strikeouts.  Murphy threw the first 5.1 innings, giving up three runs on six hits.
 
At the plate, Stampfl was 2-for-5 with two doubles and tied a career-high with five RBI, while McNally was 2-for-5 with a double, two runs scored, and an RBI.  Kozuch was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, two walks and an RBI with Galiano also having two hits and two runs scored.
 
In game two, Georgia Tech's Kel Johnson went 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBI, as the Yellow Jackets pulled out a 7-5 decision.
 
Like game one, Fordham scored first, posting three runs in the first inning, as the Rams cashed in with the bases loaded.  Galiano started the rally with a single, which was followed by a single from Stampfl.  After McNally was hit by a pitch, Mark Donadio cleared the bases with a double to left center for a 3-0 lead.
 
Georgia Tech responded by scoring single runs in the second, third, and fourth innings to tie the game at three all.
 
The Rams retook the lead the top of the fifth, when Jordan Gajdos led off with a single, and moved to third on a pair of bunts.  Kozuch then singled through the left side, scoring Gajdos for the 4-3 lead.
 
The Yellow Jackets replied with a four-run fifth inning, highlighted by RBI-singles from Innis and Connor Justus, as well as a solo home run by Kel Johnson, his second of the year.

 
Fordham scratched a run across in the sixth to make it a 7-5 score.  Stampfl drew a walk and moved to second on a failed pickoff attempt.  After a single by Donadio moved Stampfl to third, Edmiston singled up the middle to score Stampfl.
 
The Rams were unable to get any closer, as Zac Ryan allowed just one hit over the final two innings to earn the save for Georgia Tech.
 
Fordham reliever Cody Johnson (0-1) took the loss, allowing two earned runs on three hits in 1.1 innings of relief.  Starter Joseph Serrapica went the first 3.1 innings, allowing three runs on six hits.  The trio of David Manasek (2.1 IP, 1 H), Ben Greenberg (0.2 IP), and Greg Weissert (0.1 IP) finished the game out of the bullpen.
 
At the plate, Donadio was 2-for-4 with a double and tied a career-high with three RBI, while Edmiston was 2-for-4 with an RBI.
 
The Fordham baseball team will next be in action on Friday, February 20^th, as the Rams play at Florida Gulf Coast, beginning at 12:00 PM.