Davidson, N.C. – (March 23, 2018) – Despite 13 strikeouts by the Fordham pitching staff and the first home run of
Matt Tarabek's career, the Rams fell to the Davidson Wildcats, 5-4, in the Atlantic 10 opener for both teams on Friday at Wilson Field.
With the loss, Fordham goes to 10-7-1 overall, 0-1 in the Atlantic 10, while Davidson improved to 15-6 overall, 1-0 in the league.
Fordham got things rolling right away in the first inning, as with one on and one out,
Matt Tarabek connected on a two-run home run down the left field line for a 2-0 lead. It was the first of Tarabek's career.
Davidson then tied the game at two in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Wildcats loaded the bases with Alex Mardiney connecting on a two-run double.
The Rams went back on top in the sixth inning thanks to another two-out rally.
Justin Bardwell was hit by a pitch and moved to second on an infield single by
Nick Labella.
Jake MacKenzie then roped a double down the left field line to score both Bardwell and Labella for a 4-2 lead.
Reiss Knehr had eight strikeouts in 5.2 innings on Friday.
The Wildcats answered back with three runs in the bottom half of the inning. After an RBI-single by Brett Centracchio, Alec Acosta drew a walk, which ended
Reiss Knehr's day on the mound for Fordham. Reliever
Brian Weissert then got Eric Jones to hit a high fly ball to center, but the ball got lost in the sky and dropped for a two-run double and a 5-4 Davidson lead.
Davidson look to add to the lead in the eighth, loading the bases with no outs, but Fordham's
Kyle Martin struck out the next three batters to keep it a one-run game. In the ninth, the Rams would get the tying run in scoring position, as MacKenzie drew a walk and stole second, but could not score him, falling by the final of 5-4.
Knehr (2-2) took the loss, allowing five runs on nine hits over 5.2 innings with eight strikeouts. Weissert gave up two hits over 1.1 innings of relief with two strikeouts with Martin allowing one hit and one walk with three strikeouts in his one inning of work.
C.J. Vazquez had the lone multi-hit game, going 2-for-4, while Tarabek and MacKenzie each had an extra-base hit and two RBI.
Game two of this series is set for Saturday at 2:00 PM.
