Bronx, N.Y. – (April 23, 2025) – Fordham's
Taylor Kirk recorded the go-ahead RBI-single in the sixth inning, while the Rams' bullpen combined for 4.1 innings of scoreless relief, as the Rams took the "Battle of the Bronx" from the Manhattan Jaspers, 5-4, at Houlihan Park on Wednesday afternoon.
The Rams scored in each of the first three innings, building up a 4-0 lead. With two out in the first inning,
Daniel Bucciero singled to right center, stole second, and scored on a single by
Andrew Kanellis. The Rams's two-out magic continued in the second, as
Reid Lapekas connected on an RBI-single to right, scoring
Tommy McAndrews from second.
Then in the third, Kanellis drew a two-out walk, which was followed by a two-run home run to right, his fifth of the season.
Manhattan fought back with two runs in the fourth and fifth innings to tie the game at four. Aidan Taclas hit a two-run home run in the fourth, his sixth of the season, while the fifth inning saw an RBI-double from Nico Mattera with the other run coming in on a double.
Fordham broke the tie in the sixth inning, taking advantage of a Manhattan error.
Matt Dieguez led off with a walk and after a pair of fly outs, reached third on a failed pick off attempt.
Taylor Kirk then beat out an infield single to plate Dieguez.
From there, the Rams' bullpen took charge, holding the Jaspers scoreless the rest of the game.
Beau Elson (5-2) got the win in relief, pitching 1.1 scoreless innings with two strikeouts.
Connor Haywood followed with a scoreless seventh inning, while
Ryan Egan and
Gannon Brady combined for a scoreless eighth.
Koen Smith then locked down his second save of the season with a scoreless ninth, posting two strikeouts. At the plate, Lapekas was 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Bucciero went 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored, and two stolen bases.
Fordham will next be in action on Friday, April 25
th, as the team heads to VCU to start a three-game Atlantic 10 series. Game time is set for 6:00 PM.
