Bronx, N.Y. – (April 30, 2021) – It was a breezy day on Friday at Houlihan Park, and the wind did not blow Fordham's way as the Rams fell to the Massachusetts Minutemen, 4-2, to open a four-game Atlantic 10 series.
With the game scoreless after three innings thanks to a couple of Ram double plays, Fordham (18-13, 5-4 A-10) opened the scoring in the bottom of the fourth, when
Zach Selinger hit a solo home run to right, his first of the season.
The Minutemen knotted the game at one in the sixth, when Dylan Judd singled home Skagerlind, who reached base on an infield single and stole second.
Fordham regained the lead in the seventh, as
Jason Coules started the rally with a ground-rule double to left. After an infield single by
Alvin Melendez moved Coules to third, Coules scored on a sacrifice fly by
Nick Labella for a 2-1 lead.
However, UMass rallied back for three runs in the top of the eighth to go ahead by a 4-2 score. The Minutemen loaded the bases with one out and tied the game on another RBI-single by Rudd. Mike Gervasi then plated a run with a sacrifice fly to left with Michael Rounds plating Eddy Hart with a single through the left side.
Fordham tried to get back into the game, getting two runners into scoring position in the eighth and one on in the ninth, but the Minutemen were able to hold the Rams off for the win.
Cameron Knox (1-2) took the loss in relief, allowing three runs over 1.1 innings, while
Brooks Ey got a no-decision, giving up one run on four hits over six innings with three strikeouts. At the plate, Coules was 3-for-5 with a double, a run scored, and a stolen base, while
Chris Genaro also had three hits.
The same two teams will meet for a doubleheader on Saturday, starting at noon.
