Phoenix, Ariz. – (February 21, 2020) – Despite big performances from Fordham starting pitcher
Matt Mikulski and third baseman
Matt Tarabek, the Fordham baseball team dropped a 12-5 decision to the CSUN (Cal St. Northridge) Matadors in the opening game of the GCU Classic in Phoenix, Arizona.
The loss drops Fordham to 1-4 on the season, while CSUN improved to 5-0.
Fordham opened the scoring in the second inning, when
Jason Coules singled home
Alvin Melendez from second after a Melendez double. CSUN quickly tied the game at one in the third inning, getting an RBI-single by Mason Le.
Matt Mikulski
The Rams regained the lead in the fourth inning with a three-run rally.
Jake MacKenzie drew a leadoff walk, followed by a single by Melendez, which pushed MacKenzie to third. Coules doubled home MacKenzie with Melendez going to third.
Matt Tarabek then singled through the left side to score Melendez. Fordham picked up a final run on an error for a 4-1 lead.
Fordham starting pitcher
Matt Mikulski kept the score at 4-1 through six innings, giving up six hits with five strikeouts. However, the Matadors got to the Fordham bullpen, scoring seven times in the seventh and four times in the eighth to take a 12-4 lead.
The scoring finished in the bottom of the eighth inning, when Tarabek connected on a solo home run to left, his first of the year, to make it a 12-5 final.
Reliever
Cory Wall (0-1) took the loss, allowing four runs in relief, while Dwayne Angebrandt (2-0) recorded the win, as he pitched 1.2 innings of two-hit relief.
At the plate, Tarabek was 4-for-4 with a home run and two RBI, while Coules went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Melendez finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a double.
The Rams are in action twice at the GCU Classic on Saturday, taking on CSUN at 4:00 PM and Grand Canyon at 8:00 PM.
Gallery: (2/21/2020) Baseball vs. CSUN
