Baseball Posts Extra-Inning Win over Sacred Heart

Bronx, N.Y. – (February 26, 2020) – Behind a career-best performance from Alvin Melendez on the mound and some late inning magic, the Fordham Rams posted a 5-4 come-from-behind win over the Sacred Heart Pioneers in 13 innings at Houlihan Park.
 
With the win, Fordham snapped a three-game slide, improving to 2-6 on the year, while Sacred Heart fell to 1-3.
 
The Pioneers had the early momentum, scoring runs in the first, third, and fourth innings for a 3-0 lead.  All three runs came on two-out RBI-singles by Jake Frasca (1^st), Sam Mongelli (3^rd), and Stephen Thibault (4^th).

 
Fordham pulled back within one at 3-2 in the sixth inning with a pair of runs.  Jake MacKenzie started the rally with a one-out single and stole second.  He then scored on a ground rule double to left by Alvin Melendez.  Zach Selinger followed with a single up the middle, scoring Melendez from second.
 
The Pioneers regained a two-run lead in the top of the eighth at 4-2, as Danny Glendon scored on a single by Joey Skarad after Glendon reached on a triple.
 
The Rams though would not give up, putting together a ninth-inning rally. Jason Coules and C.J. Vazquez led off with back-to-back singles and moved up a base on a sacrifice bunt by Matt Tarabek.  MacKenzie then singled through the left side to cut the deficit to 4-3.  After a stolen base by MacKenzie, Melendez  plated Vazquez with a sacrifice fly to center and tie the game at four.

 
Each team had chances in extra inning to go back ahead, but it wasn't until the 13^th inning, when the Rams walked off with a win.  Jake Guercio drilled a ground rule double down the left field line to start the inning.  Coules followed with a drive to left that went in and out of the leftfielder's glove, allowing Guercio to score the game-winning tally.
 
Six Fordham pitchers threw in the game, highlighted by a career-best effort from Melendez (1-0) in relief.  He tied a career-long with five innings pitched and recorded a career-high nine strikeouts to earn the win.  Melendez also went 2-for-5 at the plate with a double, two RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base.
 
Ben Kovel made the start, allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts over his two innings, while Marc Bisogno gave up two runs on three hits with three strikeouts.  Jack Popolizio tossed two innings of one-hit relief with Alex Henderson and Gabe Karslo accounting for one inning each.
 
Aside from Melendez, Coules, Vazquez, and MacKenzie were all 2-for-5 in the game with a run scored.  Coules and MacKenzie also added two stolen bases each.
 
The Fordham baseball team will next be in action on Friday, February 28^th, when the Rams begin a three-game road series at Furman, starting at 4:00 PM.