Bronx, N.Y. - (May 16, 2021) – La Salle's Gabe Rappa tossed seven innings of six-hit ball, while Tatem Levins had three hits and two RBI, as the Explorers topped the Fordham Rams, 9-5, at Houlihan Park on Sunday.
La Salle (32-17, 15-5 A-10) got out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning and then doubled it to 6-0 in the fourth.
Fordham (21-18, 8-8 A-10) cracked the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth with a pair of runs to make it, 6-2.
Jason Coules led off with a walk and moved to third on a double by
Nick Labella.
Andy Semo plated Coules with a sacrifice fly to left, while Labella scored on a double to left center by
Zach Selinger.
The Explorers extended the lead to seven at 9-2 in the eighth, netting three runs in the frame.
The Rams then rallied in the eighth to get the tying run to the plate. The inning started with a walk to
Alvin Melendez, and one out later, saw Labella crank a two-run home run to left center, his second of the season.
Andy Semo then reached second on a single and a wild pitch. Pinch-hitter
Trey Maeker then lined a single off the first baseman glove to score Semo and make it, 9-5.
Eventually, Fordham loaded the bases later in the frame on a single by
Colton Snelling and a walk to
C.J. Vazquez. La Salle reliever Joe Messina though held the rally there, as he struck out pinch-hitter
Casey Brown to end the rally, as the Explorers went on to finish the win with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
Garrett Crowley (3-4) took the loss, allowing six runs on five hits over 3.2 innings of work.
Declan Lavelle pitched well out of the bullpen, tossing 3.1 innings of two-hit relief with five strikeouts. At the plate, Vazquez was 3-for-4 with a triple, while Labella was 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, and two RBI with Snelling also having a pair of hits.
The Rams will next be in action on Thursday, May 20
th, as they begin a four-game series at St. Bonaventure to close out the regular season.
