Bronx, N.Y. – (May 4, 2023) – The Fordham baseball team opens a three-game Atlantic 10 series on Friday, as the Rams will host the George Mason Patriots at Houlihan Park. In addition to the three games, Fordham will also honor two special groups this weekend, as Saturday will feature a ceremony honoring the class of 2020, while Sunday welcomes back the 1993 Patriot League and ECAC Championship team, as they celebrate the 30
th anniversary of their championships.
Fordham (16-29, 4-11 A10) looks to snap a six-game slide this weekend against the Patriots (22-21, 7-7 A10), who have won five of its last seven contests.
PROBABLE STARTERS/GAME COVERAGE:
Friday – 3:00 PM - Fordham – RHP
Declan Lavelle (0-4, 7.34 ERA) vs. George Mason – LHP Ben Shields (6-2, 4.11 ERA) //
Live Video (ESPN+/MSG) |
Live Stats |
Twitter - @FordhamBaseball
Saturday – 1:00 PM - Fordham – LHP
Austin Sachen (0-3, 11.30 ERA) vs. George Mason – RHP Chad Gartland (4-2, 3.02 ERA) //
Live Video (ESPN+/MSG) |
Live Stats |
Twitter - @FordhamBaseball
Sunday – 12:00 PM - Fordham – TBA vs. George Mason – LHP Konner Eaton (1-3, 5.46 ERA) //
Live Video (ESPN+/MSG) |
Live Stats |
Twitter - @FordhamBaseball
OPPONENT OUTLOOK: George Mason sits at 22-21 on the year with a 7-7 mark in the Atlantic 10 and make its first trip to Houlihan Park for a weekend series since 2015. The Patriots are half a game back of the final Atlantic 10 playoff spot, entering this weekend. James Quinn-Irons leads the squad with a .381 batting average to go with four home runs and 26 RBI, while South Trimble is hitting .308 with eight doubles, three home runs, and 29 RBI. On the bump, Ben Shields has been the Patriots' ace, going 6-2 in 11 starts with a 4.11 ERA and 84 strikeouts. Christian Mracna is the top arm in the bullpen, making 17 appearances with three saves and a 2.31 ERA.
SERIES HISTORY: Fordham and George Mason have met 21 times in their history with the first meeting happening in 1968. Overall, the Patriots have the series edge, 12-9, after winning two of three games last year down in Fairfax.
LAST TIME OUT: NJIT's Dillon Can drove in two runs, including the go-ahead run in the top of the fifth inning, as the Highlanders topped the Fordham Rams, 5-1, at Houlihan Park on Tuesday afternoon.
Fordham scored right away in the first inning, as
Cian Sahler drew a one-out walk and moved to second when
Tommy McAndrews was hit by a pitch.
Peter DeMaria then drove Sahler home with a single through the left side.
Rams' starter
Nolan Hughes cruised through the first three innings, facing just nine batters, but was greeted in the fourth inning by a solo home run to left by NJIT's Luke Longo to tie the game at one. It was Longo's 13th of the season.
In the fifth, NJIT snagged a 2-1 lead with some small ball off Fordham reliever
William Simeone. Ty Sallie opened the inning with a single to right, a stolen base, and scored after a pair of ground outs.
The Highlanders added to the lead in the eighth, scoring twice on RBI-singles by Dillon Can and Jared Donnelly, and then had another run in the ninth on a sacrifice fly. Fordham would get two runners on in the ninth for a potential rally, but neither would score leaving the game as a 5-1 final.
For Fordham, DeMaria was 3-for-4 with an RBI, while
Daniel Bucciero had a pair of hits. Sahler finished 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored with Genaro going 1-for-3 with a double and a walk. On the mound, Hughes got a no-decision, allowing one run over four innings with six strikeouts, while
Nate Scott threw two scoreless innings of relief.
POWER SURGE: One of the big differences from a year ago has been Fordham's ability to hit the long ball in 2023. Fordham has 36 home runs on the year, which has already surpassed last year's total of 26.
Peter DeMaria leads the team with 10 on the season with
Zach Selinger having a career-high eight. Fordham also has six grand slam home runs (Selinger – 3,
Sebastian Mexico – 1,
Daniel Bucciero – 1,
Michael Taylor - 1).
RAMSES CHALLENGE: As a part of a new fundraising challenge this season, fans can pledge support for the team in the Ramses Challenge for each win, home run hit, or pitcher's strikeout this season.
Be a part of the challenge by clicking here.
WHO'S NEXT: Following this weekend series, Fordham hosts Massachusetts for a three-game series, May 12-14,
