Philadelphia, PA -- Alec Welshans hit three home runs and drove in six RBI despite La Salle's 9-7 loss to Fordham under sunny skies and 80 degree temperatures Friday at Hank DeVincent Field. 

La Salle's team leader in the home run category with 13 on the season, Welshans struck for a three-run shot in the fourth, a solo homer in the sixth, and a two-run bomb in the eighth. 

 
Fordham jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the fourth inning, but Welshans accounted for the Explorers' next six RBI to cut the deficit at one point to 8-6 in the eighth inning. Carter Groen would hit La Salle's fourth homer of the afternoon in the bottom of the ninth, a solo shot, but Fordham had tacked on an insurance run in the top of the ninth. 

Chase Swain also contributed three hits, helping raise his team-best batting average to .368. 

The series continues tomorrow with a doubleheader to mitigate anticipated rain on Sunday. First pitch in Game One is anticipated to be scheduled for 12:45 pm. Game Two will begin approximately 20 minutes after Game One.