St. Bonaventure, N.Y. – Behind multi-hit games from seniors
Jason Lundy and
Mark Donadio and a combined six strikeouts from relievers
Kyle Martin and
Alvin Melendez over the final two plus innings, the Fordham baseball team closed out the season with an 8-5 win over the St. Bonaventure Bonnies at Fred Handler Park.
Fordham started the scoring in the top of the second inning, as
Luke Stampfl led off with a double to left center, moved to third on a fly out, and scored on an RBI-single by
Ryan Mahoney.
St. Bonaventure responded with three unearned runs by the fifth inning, taking a 3-1 lead.
The Rams tied the game at three in the top of sixth, loading the bases on singles by
Jason Lundy and
Mark Donadio, and a walk to Stampfl.
Justin Bardwell was then hit by a pitch to force in Lundy. Mahoney followed by hitting into a double play, which allowed Donadio to score from third and tie the game.
Fordham re-took the lead in the top of the seventh inning, scoring three times for a 6-3 edge. With one out,
Pat Gardner drew a walk and moved to second on a single by
Jake Baker. After a pitching change, Lundy hit a ground ball to first that went off the heel of the first baseman's glove, allowing Gardner to score with Baker moving to third. Baker later scored on a passed ball with Lundy coming home on an RBI-single by Donadio for a 6-3 edge.
The Bonnies threatened with a potential big rally in the bottom half of the seventh. St. Bonaventure scored twice with the bases loaded and two outs, but reliever
Kyle Martin struck out Jared Baldinelli to end the inning and keep Fordham in front, 6-5.
Jason Lundy had two RBI on Saturday.
The Rams added to their lead with a pair of runs in the ninth to make it an 8-5 game. Gardner drew a leadoff walk and was pinch-run for by
Reiss Knehr. After a sacrifice bunt by Baker, Lundy singled home Knehr and took second on the throw home. Lundy was lifted for pinch runner
Billy Godrick, who took third on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly by Donadio.
Reliever
Alvin Melendez shut the door in the bottom of the ninth, striking out the side for his sixth save of the season.
Mike Cowell (1-4) earned his first collegiate win, allowing one unearned run on one hit with three strikeouts over 2.1 innings of relief. Starter
Anthony DiMeglio went the first 3.2 innings, giving up two unearned runs on three hits over 3.2 innings.
At the plate, Lundy was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Donadio was 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored. Stampfl and Baker were both 1-for-3 with a run scored with Mahoney going 1-for-4 with an RBI.
The Rams end the season at 27-24 overall, with an 11-12 mark in the Atlantic 10. This marks the first overall winning record
