Bronx, N.Y. – (April 7, 2023) – Rhode Island scored three times in the top of the 12
th inning, highlighted by a home run by Alex Ramirez, giving URI a 9-6 extra-inning win over the Fordham Rams at Houlihan Park on Friday.
The game started out great for Fordham (12-19, 1-4 A10) in the first inning, as
Ryan Thiesse hit a leadoff home run to right, his second of the season. Later in the frame,
Peter DeMaria also hit a solo home run, this one to left field, for a 2-0 lead, his fifth of the season.
After URI (11-15, 3-2 A10) cut the lead to 2-1 in the fourth, Fordham picked up a run in the fifth to regain a two-run lead. Fordham loaded the bases and got a run on a fielder's choice.
Rhode Island pulled back with one at 3-2 in the seventh, netting a run on an error, but Fordham again had an answer in the bottom of the frame. Bucciero singled with one out followed by a two-run home run to left by McAndrews, his fourth of the season, giving Fordham a 5-2 advantage.
URI though would not go away, as Nicholas Toro hit a solo home run in the eighth, while Eric Genther hit a three-run home run in the ninth inning to take a 6-5 lead.
Fordham then forced extra innings with a two-out rally in the bottom of the ninth. Bucciero started things with a two-out single, his fourth hit of the game, and moved to third on a single down the right field line. DeMaria then beat out an infield single, allowing Bucciero to score and tie the game at six.
Rhode Island looked primed to re-take the lead in the tenth inning, getting runners at second and third with two outs. However, Fordham reliever
Connor Haywood was able to retire the next three batters in order without a runner scoring.
Fordham had chances to walk-off with the win in the 10
th and 11
th innings, getting runners on in both innings, but were unable to score.
URI did break the deadlock in the 12
th inning, getting an RBI-triple by Rob Butler, an RBI-single by Calvin McCall, and a solo home run by Alex Ramirez for a 9-6 lead.
Rhode Island closer Ryan Andrade earned the win, pitching the final 3.1 innings with six strikeouts.
For Fordham, Bucciero was a career-best 4-for-5 with two runs scored, while Thiesse was 3-for-6 with a home run and two runs scored. DeMaria went 2-for-6 with a home run and three RBI with McAndrews finishing 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.
The two teams will finish their series on Saturday with a noon game.
