Temple University Athletics
Owls Fall To Fordham, 15-6; Slim Playoff Hope Still Remains
5.14.09 | Baseball
May 14, 2009
BRONX, NY - Temple fell behind 10-1 after five innings and dropped a 15-6 decision to Fordham on Thursday at Jack Coffey Field. The Owls remain mathematically alive for a playoff spot despite the loss, but will need help from Duquesne and Rhode Island to qualify for the Atlantic 10 Tournament. Freshman Jabair Khan had a pair of hits and drove in two runs for the Owls.
The Cherry and White are now 11-13 in the league and must win both of its final two games to have any chance at the postseason. It would also require last place Duquesne to sweep Massachusetts and Rhode Island to win at least two games at Saint Louis.
Duquesne and UMass were scheduled to play their series opener on Thursday, but the game was rained out. The two teams will meet for a doubleheader on Friday at noon.
Senior Carmen Del Mastro and junior Tony Jusino also had a pair of hits for TU.
Fordham sent seven batters in the first, but only managed an unearned run off Owl starter Dan Moller. The Rams added three in the second and two in the fourth to take a 6-0 lead.
The visitors scored a run in the fifth. Senior Lenny DelGrippo led off with a double and scored on Khan's RBI single.
Fordham scored four more in the bottom of the inning to chase Moller, but the Owls (17-31) rallied to cut the deficit to 10-6 with five runs in the top of the sixth.
Jusino had a one-out RBI triple to score sophomore Byron McKoy, who had walked, and senior Kyle Obal followed with a run-scoring double. After the second out and a single by sophomore Rafael Cordero, a double from Khan and single by senior Jamie Abercrombie made the score 10-6.
The Rams answered with five in the bottom of the inning to complete the scoring.
Moller (3-6) suffered the loss after allowing eight earned runs in 4.1 innings. Freshman Tyler Horst pitched two scoreless innings in relief.
JP Mack (6-2) picked up the win for the Rams, despite allowing six earned runs in 5.2 innings. Daniel Munday pitched the final 3.1 innings to earn his third save.
Danny Leach had three hits and drove in three for the Maroon and White (20-30, 14-11 A-10).
The series resumes on Friday at noon. The game will be video streamed live on Fordham All-Access.
