Big Seventh Inning Leads Baseball to Series Opening Win

Fairfax, Virginia – (April 22, 2022) – When trying to break a 15-game road losing streak, you need to catch a few breaks that hadn't gone your way the previous 15 times.  Well, the Fordham Rams got those breaks to go their way on Friday afternoon, as the Rams rallied for a nine-run seventh inning to pull out an 11-10 baseball win over the George Mason Patriots at Spuhler Field in Fairfax, Virginia.
 
Fordham (9-25, 4-6 A10) got things rolling just three batters into the game, as David Kale led off with a single and came home on a hit-and-run double by Sebastian Mexico with one out.  After a single by Andy Semo, the Rams went up 2-0 on a fielder's choice by Will Findlay.
 
George Mason (12-24, 4-6 A10) answered with a four-run third inning, highlighted by a solo home run by Alex Knapp, and RBI-triple by South Trimble, and an RBI-double from Danny Hosley.
 
The Patriots extended the lead to 6-2 in the fifth on an RBI-single from Kamron Smith and a sacrifice fly by Nick Morgan.
 
The game then went into overdrive in the seventh inning, as Fordham scored nine times and sent 14 batters to the plate to take an 11-6 lead.  After a strikeout started the frame, Cian Sahler and Mexico both walked, while Semo singled to left to load the bases.  Findlay poked a two-run single to right center, cutting the deficit to 6-4.  Jack Harnisch then reached on an infield single to re-load the bases.

 
George Mason went to the bullpen, but it wasn't much help, as Fordham pinch-hitter Zach Selinger was hit by a pitch to force in a run.  Chris Genaro followed with a double down the left field line that caught the chalk, scoring Findlay and Harnisch for a 7-6 advantage.  The Rams again loaded the bases on a walk to C.J. Vazquez with David Kale following with a sacrifice fly, making it 8-6.
 
Fordham then loaded the bases for the fourth time in the inning on an error with Mexico reaching on an infield single, allowing two runs to score.  The tallies ended at 11-6, when Sahler scored on a wild pitch from third.
 
The Patriots would not go away quietly, netting three runs in the eighth and scoring once in the ninth with the game-winning run at the plate.  However, Fordham's Ben Kovel would strike out the side in the ninth to secure his fourth save of the season.
 
Sahler, who was 1-for-5 with two runs scored at the plate, earned the win in relief to improve to 1-1 on the year.  He threw three innings of relief, allowing three runs on five hits with two strikeouts.
 
At the plate, Semo went a career-best 4-for-5 with a walk and a run scored, while Findlay was 3-for-6 with three RBI.  Mexico also finished with three RBI in the game, going 2-for-5 with a double and two runs scored, with Harnisch posting two hits, two walks, and a run scored off the bench.
 
Game two between these two teams is set for Saturday at 2:00 PM.