Bronx, N.Y. – (May 4, 2018) – Dayton's Austin Cline tossed a complete game, three-hitter, with 12 strikeouts, while Connor Echols hit the go-ahead three-run home run in the seventh, as the Flyers snapped the Fordham Rams' five-game win streak with a 4-1 victory at Houlihan Park on Friday.
With the loss, Fordham fell to 28-15-1 on the year, 10-6 in the Atlantic 10, while Dayton improved to 14-27 overall, 6-10 in the league.
Dayton took the first lead of the game in the top of the third inning, when Mitchell Garrity drew a one-out walk and scored on a triple just inside the right field line by Pat Meehan for a 1-0 lead.
Fordham then tied the game in the fifth, as
Brian Goulard started the inning with a bunt single. Goulard then stole second on a delay steal and took third on a wild pitch.
Colton Snelling followed with a chopper over the pitcher's head that he beat out for an RBI-single, scoring Goulard.
The Flyers then re-gained the lead in the seventh on Connor Echols' three-run home run to left center, his fourth of the season, making it a 4-1 game.
Dayton starter Austin Cline (3-8) was the story of the game, allowing just one run on three hits in the complete game victory. He ended the game with 12 strikeouts to only two walks, as all nine Rams struck out at least once in the game.
Fordham starter
Reiss Knehr (4-3) took the loss, allowing four runs on seven hits and four walks over 6.1 innings with two strikeouts.
Joseph Quintal tossed two-thirds of relief with a strikeout, while
Mike Cowell had three strikeouts in two scoreless innings.
Game two of the series is set for Saturday at 2:00 PM. It will be Alumni Day at Houlihan Park with those festivities beginning at 1:40 PM.
