Bronx, N.Y. – (March 18, 2018) – Even with sunny skies overhead on Sunday, Fordham and Cornell battled not only each other but also cold temperatures and extreme winds at Houlihan Park in the rubber game of a three-game series. In the end, Fordham's
Billy Godrick had the go-ahead RBI-double in the sixth inning and then made a diving catch to end the game in the ninth, as the Rams picked up a 5-3 victory over the Big Red.
With the win, Fordham improved to 10-6-1 on the year, while Cornell fell to 1-8.
Cornell jumped on Fordham starter
Anthony DiMeglio for a pair of runs in the first inning on a two-run single by Will Simoneit to grab a quick 2-0 lead, but the Rams answered back with a run in the bottom of the frame.
Billy Godrick was hit by a pitch to start the frame and moved to second on an
Alvin Melendez single. After a groundout advanced the runners,
Justin Bardwell plated Godrick with a groundout.
The Big Red went back up by two in the second at 3-1, picking up an RBI-groundout by Ellis Bitar, which scored Ramon Garza. Garza singled and moved to third on an error prior to scoring.
Fordham then took advantage of three Cornell errors in the fifth to tie the game at three, scoring on another ground out by Bardwell and a failed pickoff attempt at third.
The Rams then got their first lead of the game in the sixth inning. With a runner on first and two outs, Godrick ripped a double down the right field line, which scored
Brian Goulard from first, as he just beat the throw home.
Fordham then added an insurance run in the eighth, once again courtesy of a Cornell error. With Goulard at second after a hit by pitch and a groundout, Goulard took off for third and Cornell's pitcher Adam Saks threw errant to third on the pickoff play, allowing Goulard to score.
Brian Weissert tossed two shutout innings on Sunday.
In the ninth, Cornell did not make it easy for Fordham's closer Melendez, putting two runners on with one out on a single and a walk. Melendez then struck out Kyle Gallagher for the second out, bringing Josh Arndt to the plate. Arndt drove a deep fly ball to right center, but Godrick came across from center for the diving catch to end the game.
After the tough first inning, DiMeglio (2-0) settled down to earn his second win of the season. He allowed two earned runs on five hits with three walks and eight strikeouts.
Brian Weissert tossed two hitless innings of relief, while Melendez recorded his fourth save with a scoreless ninth.
At the plate, Godrick extended his hit streak to ten games, going 1-for-4 with an RBI-double and a run scored, with Melendez going 1-for-4 with a run scored and two stolen bases.
Reiss Knehr and
Nick Labella had the remaining hits for Fordham with Bardwell having a pair of RBI.
The Fordham baseball team will next be in action on Wednesday, March 21
st, when the Rams travel to Iona for a 3:30 PM start.
