Bronx, N.Y. – (April 3, 2019) – After falling in extra innings in its last game, the Fordham baseball team would not be denied a win on Wednesday, as
Justin Bardwell launched a walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the tenth inning to give the Rams a 5-4 win over the Siena Saints at Houlihan Park.
With the win, Fordham improved to 17-12 on the year, while Siena fell to 7-17.
The Rams started out on the right foot with two runs in the bottom of the first inning for a 2-0 lead.
Jake Guercio led off the inning with a double to left center, and one out later, scored on an RBI-single by
Jake MacKenzie. MacKenzie then stole second and moved to third on a throwing error.
Matt Tarabek then plated MacKenzie with a ground out.
Siena tied the game at two with single runs in the second and third inning, but Fordham regained the lead at 3-2 with a run in the bottom of the third. Guercio was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a passed ball, stole third, and scored on a single by
Jake Baker.
The Saints then rallied for single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 4-3 lead. The lead did not last long, as Fordham tied the game at four in the sixth. MacKenzie laced a triple down the right field line and then scored on a ground out by Tarabek.
The score stayed tied at four as the Fordham bullpen was able to hold Siena at bay, as the Saints left 14 runners on base in the game. The biggest hold came in the seventh inning, as Siena loaded the bases with no outs.
Brian Weissert was then able to work his way out of the jam, posting back-to-back strikeouts and getting a pop up to end the threat.
The game went to extra innings, where Fordham's
Anthony Zimmerman kept Siena quiet, as he struck out the side in the top of the tenth. That effort led to Bardwell's heroics in the bottom of the inning. The senior catcher launched a 1-0 pitch into the left field bleacher for his third home run of the season and a walk-off 5-4 win.
Zimmerman (2-1) earned the win in relief, tossing two shutout innings of relief with four strikeouts, which was preceded by two scoreless innings from Weissert.
Brandon Nance also had a good night out of the bullpen tossing 1.1 innings of relief with two strikeouts and no runs allowed.
At the plate, Guercio and MacKenzie each had two hits, two runs scored, and a stolen base, while Tarabek drove in two runs.
The Fordham baseball team will next be in action this weekend, when the Rams host Saint Joseph's for a three-game Atlantic 10 series. The series has been adjusted, as all day rain expected on Friday. The teams will play a noon doubleheader on Saturday and then a noon game on Sunday.
Gallery: (4/3/2019) Baseball vs. Siena
