March 26, 2011

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, PA - All good things must come to an end. In this case, the La Salle baseball winning streak, which stood at a program-best nine games heading into Saturday, was snapped by a 5-3 loss to Fordham on a brisk, windy afternoon at Hank DeVincent Field.

The Explorers (13-9, 1-1) could not pull out another come-from-behind victory despite taking the early lead in the first inning with two runs. A Marc Schoch RBI single followed by a Kevin Jones bases-loaded walk started things off on the right foot for La Salle.

Schoch finished the game 1-for-3 with an RBI, keeping his batting average at a team-best .375. Jeff Flax was the only Explorer to record multiple hits, going 2-for-5 in the contest.

The Rams (13-9, 1-1) battled back with consecutive run-scoring innings in the fourth, fifth and sixth to chase La Salle starting pitcher Eric Van Wyk after just five innings. The lefty allowed three runs (three earned) off seven hits with no walks and four strikeouts.

For Fordham, starter Chris Pike was brilliant and got stronger as the game went along. The righty retired the final 16 batters in order and struck out 10 in the contest while going the distance and allowing only six hits.

Jon Gyles had the only other RBI for the Explorers with a double in the fourth that at the time gave La Salle a one-run lead.

RHP Cody Weiss will get the start on the mound tomorrow and try to earn the series victory for La Salle.

The rubber match between the Explorers and Rams is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday at Hank DeVincent Field.