March 24, 2011
PHILADELPHIA, PA - The La Salle baseball team will put their eight-game winning streak on the line this weekend when Atlantic 10 play opens for the Explorers with a three-game series at Hank Devincent Field against Fordham.
The Explorers (12-8) have enjoyed their longest winning streak in the modern era of La Salle baseball (since 1986) and haven't lost since the opening game of the Morehead State series back on March 11.
The Rams (12-8) have also experienced a strong start to the season with wins over VCU, Iona, Charleston Southern and perennial ACC powerhouse Wake Forest. Despite Fordham's strong start, they have dropped four of their last five games including a pair of losses to Stony Brook and defeats by Campbell and Seton Hall. The Rams' only win in the last two weeks came over NJIT on March 20.
La Salle is paced on offense by Adam Kammler who is among the A-10 leaders with a .375 batting average and a .455 on-base percentage. Marc Schoch has also found success in the middle of the Explorer lineup with a .368 average and a team-leading .529 slugging percentage. Cleanup hitter Jon Gyles leads La Salle in home runs (2) and RBI (16).
On the rubber, the Explorers have had a very strong start to the season posting a team 3.57 ERA and a .268 batting average against. The starting rotation has also been very effective with all three weekend starters posting at least one victory on the season.
The staff leader in ERA has been Shane Petrellis, who earned his second victory of the season last Sunday, finishing off a sweep in the Big 5 Baseball Bash with a win over New York Tech. Petrellis has posted a 2-1 record with a miniscule 1.73 ERA through five appearances (three starts) this season. The righty looks to fit into the back end of the bullpen this weekend and cane help out La Salle in long relief situations.
Closer Pat Christensen has also been lights out so far this year and has only allowed two earned runs in 15 innings of work. Christensen has posted a 1-0 record with a 1.20 ERA and three saves in 2011.
Fordham has been lead on offense by a pair of hitters, Joe Russo and Ryan Lee, who have both posted .361 averages heading into Friday's series.
On the mound, RHP's Brian Pendergrast and Max Krakowiak have paced the starting rotation for the Rams with Pendergrast leading the way as the No. 1 starter, posting a 1-3 record and 3.86 ERA through five starts.
Last season's matchup between La Salle and Fordham was held in the Bronx as the Explorers won game one on Friday night only to see the Rams clinch the series with victories in games two and three.
La Salle won last season's home conference opener with a clean three-game sweep over Dayton at Hank Devincent Field.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Friday:
FOR - RHP Brian Pendergrast (1-3, 3.86)
LAS - RHP Kevin Fuqua (1-3, 3.98)
Saturday:
FOR - RHP Max Krawkowiak (2-2, 5.60)
LAS - LHP Eric Van Wyk (1-0, 2.38)
Sunday:
FOR - RHP Chris Pike (2-0, 1.50)
LAS - RHP Cody Weiss (3-2, 6.57)
