April 30, 2011

Final Stats

St. Louis - Saint Louis totaled six hits but Fordham's Chris Pike did not allow a run as the Rams posted a 4-0 victory Saturday afternoon at The Billiken Sports Center. Pike went the distance to out-duel SLU starter Zack Smith, who gave up only four hits in 5-1/3 innings of work.

Both starters surrendered just one hit apiece through the first four innings. SLU had an early chance when C.J. Rose worked walks in the first. The Bills hit two grounders and were unable to push across a run. The Billikens threatened in the second inning when Jerry Mancuso singled and Connor Gandossy earned a free pass. The runners moved up on a balk but both were stranded in scoring position. The Rams put two runners on in the third frame, but Smith kept the game scoreless.

Fordham scored what would prove to be the game winner without the aid of a hit in the fourth inning. Brian Kownacki was hit by a pitch, and he moved to third on a sac bunt and error. The Billikens turned a double play but Fordham scored the game's first run to take the lead. In the bottom of the inning, Cody Cotter singled with two outs and swiped a base but was stranded at second.

Fordham strung together four hits to build a 3-0 lead in the top of the sixth. SLU again pushed a runner into scoring position when Jon Myers walked and Nick Becker singled. Pike worked out of the jam to keep the Billikens off the scoreboard. The Rams closed out the scoring with a run in the seventh. Jason Bell pitched 2-1/3 innings in relief for the Billikens and

SLU make one final charge in the ninth when Nick Becker reached to start the inning. He moved up a base on a grounder and reached third on Mancuso's third hit of the game. Mancuso stole second to put two runners in scoring position. However, the duo was stranded to end the contest.

The Billikens slide to 23-19 overall, 5-9 in the A-10. The Rams are now 27-16, 8-6 in A-10 play. The teams close out the three-game series Sunday with a Noon outing.