Baseball Powers Its Way to Win at Hofstra, 7-6

Behind three home runs and four scoreless innings of relief from Parker Barnell and Anthony DiMeglio, the Fordham Rams topped the Hofstra Pride, 7-6, at University Field in Hempstead, N.Y.
 
The win improved Fordham's record to 6-10 overall, while Hofstra fell to 5-11.
 
Fordham jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI-ground out by Matthew Kozuch, scoring Joseph Runco from third.  Runco was hit by a pitch to start the inning, stole second, and moved to third on a sacrifice.
 
The Rams added to the lead in the second inning, as Ryan Mahoney connected on a solo home run to left, his first of the season.
 
Hofstra answered with a home run of its own, as Teddy Cillis hit a three-run home run to left center, his second of the year.
 
Fordham tied the game right away with another long ball in the top of the third, when Ian Edmiston homered to left for his first of the year.
 
The tie game didn't last long, as the Pride regained a 4-3 lead on an RBI-single by Vito Friscia, scoring David Leiderman, who led off with a double.
 
The Rams tied the game again in the top of the fifth inning, as Jason Lundy started the frame with a double to center and moved to third on a single by Runco.  Lundy then scored on a sacrifice fly by Edmiston.
 
Hofstra again answered back with a two-run single by Nick Bottari to regain a 6-4 edge.
 
The back-and-forth game continued with Fordham grabbing a 7-6 lead in the top of the sixth.  Kozuch and Luke Stampfl both walked to start the inning, and moved up a base on a wild pitch.  Pinch-hitter Mark Donadio then blasted a three-run home run to right, his first of the year.

 
From there, Fordham's bullpen duo of Parker Barnell and Anthony DiMeglio held the Pride in check over the final four innings.  Barnell pitched two hitless innings in the sixth and seventh, while DiMeglio held Hofstra scoreless in the eighth and ninth innings for his second save of the season.
 
For Fordham, Anthony Zimmerman (1-0) earned the win in relief, giving up two runs on three hits in one inning of relief.  Stampfl started the game, allowing three runs on four hits in two innings of action, with Moshup Galbraith giving up one run in two innings of relief.
 
At the dish, Runco and Lundy were both 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Donadio drove in three with his home run.  Edmiston also had a pair of RBI in addition to the home run.
 
The Fordham baseball team will next be in action on Saturday, March 19^th, when the Rams play at Wagner for a doubleheader, beginning at noon.