Bronx, N.Y. – (April 1, 2022) – With cold temperatures and windy conditions, the Atlantic 10 series opener between Fordham and Saint Louis was a classic low-scoring contest. With that in mind, it was an RBI-bunt single by Matt Happ which proved to be the difference, as the Billikens edged the Rams, 2-1, at Houlihan Park on Friday.
Saint Louis (13-10, 1-0 A-10) scored the opening run of the game in the fourth inning, as Cody Jansen connected on a ground-rule double to center and was followed by an RBI-single through the right side by Cole Smith for a 1-0 lead.
The Billikens made it 2-0 in the seventh inning, as with runners at the corners, Matt Happ plated Jansen from third with a bunt single to third.
The Rams cut the deficit in half in the eighth to 2-1.
C.J. Vazquez led off with a bunt single and moved to third on a failed pickoff attempt.
Sebastian Mexico then dropped a single into center to score Vazquez from third. Fordham was primed to tie the game, as
Richard Grund moved Mexico to second on a sacrifice, while
Andy Semo drew a walk. However,
Zach Selinger lined into a double play to end the threat.
Fordham would get the tying run on base in the ninth, when
Jack Harnisch drew a leadoff walk, but Saint Louis closer Cameron Pferrer got the next three batters to earn his fourth save of the season.
Cameron Knox (2-1) took the loss for Fordham, allowing two runs on six hits over five innings of relief with a career-high six strikeouts. He relieved starter Gabe Karlso, who pitched two scoreless innings before having to leave the game with an injury.
Joseph Quintal closed out the game two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. At the plate, Mexico was 2-for-4 with an RBI, while
Jason Coules went 2-for-4 with a double.
With rain in the forecast for Sunday, the two teams will play a doubleheader starting at 1:00 PM on Saturday to finish the series.
