South Orange, N.J. – (March 24, 2023) – Following a career-high six RBI on Tuesday, Fordham fans wondered what
Zach Selinger might do for an encore on Friday at Seton Hall? Well, Selinger put together a standing ovation encore, hitting a home run in both ends of the doubleheader, including the game-winning grand slam home run in the ninth inning of game two to lead the Rams to sweep of the Pirates, 6-5 and 9-6, at Sheppard Stadium in South Orange, New Jersey.
In a seven-inning game one affair, Fordham opened the scoring in the second inning, as
Peter DeMaria was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a single by
Will Findlay.
Zach Selinger then crushed a three-run home run to center, his fourth of the season and second in as many games.
After the Pirates cut the lead to 3-2 in the third, the Rams answered with two runs in the top of the fourth to regain a three-run edge at 5-2. With runners at the corners,
Michael Taylor doubled to left, scoring Selinger and
Tommy McAndrews.
Fordham tacked on another run in the fifth for a 6-2 advantage, when DeMaria cracked a solo home run to left, his third of the season.
Fordham starter
Gabe Karslo pitched into the seventh inning, but got into trouble, as Seton Hall loaded the bases and got a two-run single by Will Gale to make it a 6-4 game.
Ben Kovel came on in relief of Karslo, getting the first out on a sacrifice bunt. He allowed a run to score on a wild pitch but recorded back-to-back strikeouts to close out the 6-5 win for his first save of the season.
Karslo improved to 2-2 on the year, allowing five runs over six innings with three strikeouts. At the plate, Selinger was 1-for-2 with two runs scored and a three-run home run, while DeMaria was 1-for-2 with a home run and two runs scored. Taylor ended the game 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI.
In game two, Fordham again got off to a great start, scoring four times in the second for the initial lead. DeMaria led off with a single to the left side and moved to second on a one-out walk to Selinger.
Tommy McAndrews followed with an RBI-double to center, scoring DeMaria with Selinger moving to third.
Nico Boza then cashed in with an RBI-single, followed by a two-run single by
Ryan Thiesse.
The Pirates then chipped away at the lead, scoring a single run in the second, third, and seventh innings to make it a 4-3 game.
Seton Hall would grab the lead with a three-run eighth inning, taking advantage of a couple of Fordham misplays. With one out and runners at the corners, Pat D'Amico lined a ball off the glove of Fordham third baseman
Michael Taylor, allowing the runner at third to score and tie the game. Later, the Pirates loaded the bases with two outs and Jedier Hernandez at the plate. Hernandez hit a ground ball to second that Selinger could not handle, allowing two runs to score, giving Seton Hall a 6-4 advantage.
Fordham did not relent in the ninth, as pinch-hitter
Ryan Rockhill opened the frame by reaching base on an error, followed by a walk to Thiesse.
Cian Sahler then laid down a bunt, which he beat out for the single, with the throw going into right field, allowing Rockhill to score with Sahler and Thiesse reaching second and third, respectively. After a pair of out, Seton Hall reliever Joe Cinnella threw a ball to Findlay and then decided to intentionally walk him to bring Selinger to the plate. Selinger then crushed the next pitch over the right center field wall for a grand slam home run and a 9-6 lead. It was Selinger's fifth home run of the year, second grand slam, and third straight game with a home run.
Kovel (2-2), who recorded the final out of the eighth inning, stayed on the get the final three outs to post his second win of the year. At the plate, Selinger finished 2-for-2, reaching base five times with two runs scored and the grand slam home run, while McAndrews was 3-for-5 with two doubles, a run scored, and an RBI.
The Rams finished their series with Seton Hall on Sunday afternoon at noon at Houlihan Park.
