Deland, Fla. – (February 23, 2024) – Behind a strong start from
Declan Lavelle on the mound and multi-RBI games from three different Rams, the Fordham baseball team earned its first win of the 2024 season, defeating Army West Point, 9-7, at Stetson's Melching Field in Deland, Florida.
Fordham (1-3) got the ball rolling early, scoring five times in the second inning, as the Rams took advantage of three Army errors in the frame. With runners at second and third following a base hit and an error,
Madden Ocko connected on a two-run double to left, scoring
Andrew Kanellis and
Michael Brueser for the initial lead. Fordham picked up three more runs in the inning on two errors and an RBI-single by
Daniel Bucciero.
The Black Knights put a run on the board in the fourth on a pair of doubles, but Fordham answered with two runs in the bottom of the frame for a 7-1 lead.
Ryan Thiesse led off with a single and scored on a triple by Bucciero. Bucciero then scored on a groundout by
Tommy McAndrews.
Fordham added to the lead in the fifth when
Chris Genaro drilled a two-run single with the bases loaded, making it a 9-1 score.
Army made it a game in the later innings, scoring once in the sixth and five in the eighth to pull within two, 9-7.
Fordham reliever
Koen Smith was able to record the final three outs to close out the win for his first collegiate save.
Declan Lavelle (1-1) had a stellar start to earn the win, allowing one run on five hits over five innings with five strikeouts.
At the plate, Thiesse was 4-for-5 with two runs scored and a stolen base, while Bucciero was 2-for-5 with a triple and two RBI. Ocko and Genaro added a hit and two RBI each with
Henry Pelinski posting a 2-for-4 day.
Fordham will look for two wins in a row on Saturday, February 24, when the Rams take on Maine at noon at Melching Field.
