Fairfax, Va. – (May 17, 2025) – Fordham's
Matt Dieguez collected three hits and three RBI on Saturday to lead the Rams to a 5-2 win over the George Mason Patriots at Spuhler Field and take the series. With the series win, the Rams (25-31, 15-15 A-10) have clinched the sixth seed at next week's Atlantic 10 Championship.
Fordham got on the board first in the opening frame.
Daniel Bucciero was hit by a pitch with two outs and scored on a hit-and-run RBI-single by
Andrew Kanellis.
George Mason tied the game in the bottom of the second, as after a two-out double, a bunt single was thrown away, allowing the runner to score.
The Rams went back ahead in the fourth, 2-1, as with two on and two out,
Taylor Kirk hit a pop up that landed behind the pitcher's mound for an RBI-double, scoring
Carson Chavez from second.
Fordham added to the lead in the seventh with a two-run double by
Matt Dieguez, making it 4-1.
The Patriots picked up a run in the bottom of the seventh, but Fordham got that run back in the ninth on an RBI-single by Dieguez for the 5-2 final.
Koen Smith came on to record the final three outs in the ninth to record his fourth save of the season.
Chase Hanawalt (1-2) earned his first career win, pitching two scoreless innings of relief.
A.J. Pino made the start, allowing one unearned run over three innings with
Robbie Stewart and
Gannon Brady each pitching one scoreless inning.
Andres Perez gave up one run in his one inning of work.
At the plate, Dieguez was 3-for-4 with two doubles, three RBI, and a stolen base, while Bucciero was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two stolen bases. Chavez finished 2-for-4 with a run scored with Kirk ending up 1-for-3 with a double, two runs scored, and a stolen base.
The Rams now look forward to the 2025 Atlantic 10 Championship, which begins on Tuesday, May 20th, at Capital One Park in Tysons, Virginia. Fordham will take on #3 seed Saint Louis at 7:00 PM.
