Kingston, R.I. –Justin Jewell's pinch-hit two-run double in the bottom of the seventh inning proved to be the difference maker on Saturday afternoon at Bill Beck Field in Kingston, Rhode Island, as the Rhode Island Rams defeated the Fordham Rams, 5-3.
With the loss, Fordham falls to 18-21 on the year, 7-9 in the Atlantic 10, while Rhode Island improved to 24-16 on the year, 12-4 in the league.
The game started as a pitcher's duel between Fordham's
Jimmy Murphy and Rhode Island's Matt Murphy, as only one run was scored over the first five innings of action. That run came in the second for Rhode Island on a fielder's choice.
URI increased its lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the sixth, when Mike Corin connected on a two-run home run to right, his 13
th of the season.
Fordham then came back, scoring three times in the top of the seventh to tie the game at three.
Jason Lundy led off with a single through the left side and stole second. After a pair of strikeouts,
Justin Bardwell lifted a high fly ball to left, which was dropped by the leftfielder, allowing Lundy to score with Bardwell ending up at second base.
Pat Gardner came on to pinch run for Bardwell, and quickly scored on a single to left field by
Mark Donadio, making it a 3-2 game.
Luke Stampfl followed with a walk, while
Ryan Mahoney ripped a single through the left side to score Donadio from second tying the game at three.
Jimmy Murphy struck out seven over seven innings.
Rhode Island though quickly took the lead back with two runs in the bottom of the frame on a pinch-hit two-run double by Justin Jewell to go ahead 5-3.
Fordham tried to rally one more time in the ninth, as
Billy Godrick led off with a pinch-hit single down the right field line, but was erased on a double play. Stampfl then singled to left, keeping Fordham's hopes alive. Mahoney then lined a shot to center, but was directly at the centerfielder for the final out of the game.
Jimmy Murphy (4-6) took the loss, allowing five runs on seven hits over seven innings with seven strikeouts.
Kyle Martin came on for one inning of relief, pitching a scoreless eighth inning with two strikeouts.
At the plate, Mahoney was 2-for-5 with an RBI to lead the Fordham offense, while Donadio and Lundy were both 1-for-4 with a run scored.
The series between these two teams concludes on Sunday with a 1:00 PM contest.
