May 17, 2007
Box Score
BRONX, NY - The La Salle University Baseball team was two outs away from taking the first game of the three-game Atlantic 10 series at Fordham. However, the Rams plated one run in the bottom of the ninth and another in the 10th to escape with a 2-1 victory Thursday at Houlihan Park.
The Explorers led by a run entering the bottom of the ninth - thanks mostly to Dan Waters - who shut down the Fordham bats all afternoon. Through eight innings, he scattered five hits, struck out five batters, and did not allow a single walk.
However, in the ninth, Eric Reese led off with a single before Waters got his final out of the day with a fly ball to center. La Salle then turned the game over to its closer Gerard Breslin, who had saved nine of the team's 17 victories this season.
On Breslin's second pitch, Reese stole second - but was almost out as he came close to oversliding the bag. The very next pitch, Jordan Lert doubled to right center scoring Reese and handing Breslin his first blown save of the year.
In the 10th, Reese knocked in the game-winner with two outs when he singled to right field scoring Danny Leach, who reached base on a free pass.
Fordham (31-20, 17-8 A-10) was led by those three, who provided all the Rams' offense in the game. Reese and Lert each recorded three hits, while Leach had two.
Neither starter - Waters: 8.1 IP/5H/1ER/5K; or Fordham's Cory Riordan: 9.0 IP/4H/0ER/5K - figured in the scoring decision despite pitching what should have easily been enough for a win on any other day. The Rams' James Sammut (3-1) took the win after pitching a scoreless 10th, and Burge (4-3) suffered the loss.
The Explorers broke up the scoreless tie with their only run of the afternoon - an unearned run in the sixth inning. Brian Meagher hit a one-out single to left field, then two fielding errors by the Rams loaded the bases. One out later, Rich Prall drew a four-pitch walk to drive in Meagher and give La Salle the 1-0 lead.
La Salle (17-30, 8-17 A-10) will continue its three-game series with the Rams on Friday, first pitch set for 1 PM.
