NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona University baseball team fell to the Fordham Rams 6-5 in a midweek match up. The Rams struck first in the opening inning, but the Gaels answered in the third to tie the game. A three-run shot in the fourth gave Fordham a three-run advantage. Iona worked its way back into the game, capitalizing on a Rams error to cut the deficit to one. Both teams added a run in the sixth, keeping Fordham's lead at one. The Gaels came through in the ninth with a run to force extra innings. The Rams secured the win in the twelfth inning after stealing home, while the Gaels were unable to mount a rally in the bottom half.

GAME SUMMARY

The Rams struck first in the top of the first inning as three consecutive singles loaded the bases, and a sacrifice fly brought in the game's first run to give them an early lead. Both offenses stayed quiet until the bottom of the third.

Sophomore Andrew Lenski singled through the left side, and in the next at-bat senior Mitchell Murphy was hit by a pitch to put two runners on. After a strikeout, senior Nickolas Mora singled to left field to drive in Lenski and tie the game at one heading into the fourth inning.

Fordham broke through in the top of the fourth. Two consecutive walks put runners on first and second with one out. In the next at-bat, the Rams hit a three-run home run to center field to take a three-run lead into the bottom of the inning.

The Gaels responded in the bottom of the fifth. A throwing error by the Fordham shortstop allowed two runners to score and cut the deficit to one. Lenski and Murphy both crossed the plate after reaching base on singles. In the top of the sixth, Fordham got one of those runs back with a lead off home run to right center, making it 5-3 heading into the bottom of the frame.

Senior Anthony Zollo led off the bottom of the sixth with a double to right center, and a sacrifice bunt moved him into scoring position. Redshirt freshman Cole Silvia followed with a single up the middle to bring the Gaels within one.

Both offenses were held scoreless in the seventh and eighth innings as the bullpens settled in. With three outs left, Iona looked to rally. Murphy led off the inning with a single to left and stole second to move into scoring position. After a fly out, Mora walked to put runners on first and second. Redshirt sophomore Sean Stephenson reached on a fielder's choice, with Mora out at second, but a throwing error allowed Murphy to score and tie the game at five, forcing extra innings.

Both pitching staffs continued to step up in the tenth inning, escaping jams, and the eleventh saw only one combined base runner.

In the top of the twelfth, the Rams led off with a bunt single to third. The runner advanced to third on a passed ball and a steal. A walk put runners on first and third with one out. Fordham broke the deadlock by stealing home to take a 6-5 lead.

The Gaels were unable to mount a response in the bottom of the twelfth, going down in order as the Rams secured the 6-5 win.

TEAM STATS

• The Maroon & Gold pitchers were able to strand eight runners on base.
• The Gael allowed five hits on the day and struck out 11 batters.
• Iona utilized seven pitchers in today's contest. 

NOTABLE NUGGETS

• This is the Gaels fifth consecutive game with double-digit hits. 
• Murphy went 2-4, which is his first hit this season. 
• Lenski went 2-4 on the day. 
• Senior Jackson Kossow had a team high four strikeouts on the day. 

UP NEXT