Temple University Athletics
Owls Drop Series Opener To Fordham, 9-1
4.25.08 | Baseball
April 25, 2008
AMBLER, PA - Fordham ace Tom Davis scattered five hits over nine innings to lead the Rams to a 9-1 series-opening win over Temple on Friday at Skip Wilson Field. Davis, a leading candidate for Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year honors, allowed only a second inning run and struck out five snap a five-game conference winning streak by the Owls. Sophomore Matt Heltz had two of Temple's five hits.
While Davis (6-2) was dealing on the mound, the Fordham (23-18-1, 7-9 A-10) offense ran its way to nine runs. The Rams stole 11 bases, including a straight steal of home, and took advantage of a costly error as part of a five-run fourth inning.
With the score knotted at 1-1, Fordham took its first lead on Alex Kenny's one-out single. After an infield single, the Owls (20-19, 11-5 A-10) recorded the second out at the plate on a fielder's choice groundout to 1B Steve Nikorak. The next batter hit another groundball to Nikorak at first, who flipped to junior pitcher Matt Mongiardini covering. But Mongiardini couldn't handle the toss, allowing two unearned runs to score.
The Rams' Danny Lynch then completed a straight steal of home and Chris Kaible singled home another run to make it 6-1. Fordham added single runs in the sixth, seventh and ninth to complete the scoring.
Heltz led off the second with a double and later scored on junior Mark Ortega's groundout. Heltz's single was the Owls' only hit until the sixth.
Mongiardini suffered the loss after allowing two earned runs in five innings. He struck out four batters and falls to 5-3 on the season.
Rich Goulian had four hits and stole two bases, while Kenny had a pair of hits and drove in two runs.
The series resumes on Saturday at 1 PM.
