BOX SCORE | BOX SCORE (PDF)
ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. — St. Bonaventure's
late game rally fell just short as it couldn't quite 
overcome a three-run deficit en route to losing the third and
deciding game against Fordham, 5-4, on Sunday afternoon at Fred
Handler Park.
Trailing 5-4 with one out and runners on first and second in the
bottom of the ninth, Fordham's Daniel Murray recorded the
final two outs of the game without allowing a run to save the game
for the Rams.
St. Bonaventure falls to 5-18 and 1-8 in the Atlantic 10 with
its third one-run loss of the season. The win clinched
Fordham's second A-10 series win of the season, as it
improved to 10-20 overall and 5-4 in the A-10.
Making his second start of the week, freshman Robert
Nalepa was tagged for the loss despite going five
solid innings. Nalepa gave up four runs, including three in the
first, and scattered six hits. The Bona bullpen gave up just one
run and six hits over the final four innings. Junior Jamie
Wallschlaeger tossed a pair of scoreless innings in
the seventh and eighth.
Freshman Billy
Urban and junior Derek
Speaker had two hits each to lead an eight-hit Bona
attack. Urban drove in a run and scored a run, while Speaker had a
two-run single in the second and a double. Senior Nick
Cunliffe and junior Jesse
Bosnik each had a double.
After Fordham opened the game with three runs in the first, the
Bonnies bounced back with two in the bottom of the second on a
two-RBI single up the middle by Speaker. The play was set up when
Urban was hit by pitch and freshman Austin
Ingraham singled. Both runners moved over a base on a
sacrifice bunt that led to Speaker's two-out hit.
Fordham starter and reigning A-10 Pitcher of the Brian
Pendergast settled in over the next four innings, holding the
Bonnies scoreless while the Rams tacked on one run in the third and
one more in the sixth to up their lead to 5-2.
St. Bonaventure got to Pendergast in the seventh, though,
plating two runs off the right-hander before he could record an
out. Back-to-back doubles by Speaker and Cunliffe to open the
inning knocked Pendergast from the game, while Urban brought home
the second run to make it 5-4. The Bonnies left the bases loaded to
end the inning, as Fordham bullpen worked out of a big jam.
St. Bonaventure will be back in action on Tuesday, Mar. 13 at
Buffalo in a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m.
