Bronx, N.Y. – (March 2, 2022) – Behind a three-run rally in the eighth inning and three scoreless innings of relief from
Ben Kovel, the Fordham Rams slipped past the Manhattan Jaspers in the latest edition of the "Battle of the Bronx" by a score of 9-6 at Houlihan Park.
Things did not start off great for the Rams, as Manhattan jetted out to a 4-0 lead by the third inning. The Jaspers picked up RBI-doubles by Jack Lynch in the first and Matt Padre and Trevor Santos in the third to highlight the scoring.
Fordham got on the board in the bottom of the third, as the Rams loaded the bases with two outs and got a run on a passed ball, which scored
Diego Prieto from third.
The Rams then cut the deficit to 4-3 in the fourth inning.
Jason Coules led off with a double to right center, and one out later, scored on a double by Cian Shaler. After a strikeout and pitching change,
Jake Guercio singled up the middle to score Sahler.
Ben Kovel
Fordham then grabbed a 5-4 lead in the fifth inning. With two outs,
Will Findlay drew a walk and moved to third on a double by
Sebastian Mexico. Coules then delivered a two-run single through the right side to score by both runners.
The lead was short lived, as the Jaspers scored twice in the sixth to regain a 6-5 edge, getting RBI-singles from Dola Ocasal and Frankie Marinelli. The Rams hung tough, tying the game at sixth in the bottom of the frame on a sacrifice fly by
C.J. Vazquez, which scored pinch-runner
Ryan Thiesse from third.
The game was decided in the eighth, when Fordham rallied for three runs and a 9-6 advantage. Pinch-hitter
Zach Selinger led off with a single to center, followed by a single by Sahler and a walk to
Andy Semo to load the bases. Guercio was then hit by a pitch to force in the go-ahead run. After a pitching change, Vazquez walked to drive in another run, while the last run came in on a ground out by
Will Findlay.
The three-run cushion was enough for Fordham reliever
Ben Kovel (1-0), who earned his first win of the year with three scoreless innings of relief, giving up just one hit.
Robbie Stewart got the start, allowing four runs with four strikeouts over three innings of work.
Jack Popolizio tossed two scoreless innings with one hit allowed, while
Cameron Knox pitched one inning, giving up two runs.
At the plate, Coules was 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI, while Sahler went 2-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI. Mexico was also 2-for-4 with a double with Vazquez and Guercio each having a pair of RBI.
The Fordham baseball team will now travel to Boca Raton, Florida for a three-game series at Florida Atlantic, starting on Friday night.
