Baseball Falls to Fordham, 3-2

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. -- The University of Maine baseball team wrapped up their four game set at the Seton Hall Strikeout Cancer Tournament with a grueling 3-2 loss to Fordham. The Black Bears now stand at 6-11 on the season while Fordham improves to 7-12. Centerfielder Colin Gay (Franklin, Mass.) went 1-for-3 on the day with a run scored and an RBI. He also drew a walk.

Maine starting pitcher Jeffrey Gibbs (Toronto, Ontario) made quick work of the first Fordham batters that he faced. Gibbs struck out three of the four batters that came to the plate with Ryan Maghini being the only one to get on base, reaching on an error.

Fordham was able to strike first in the top of the second inning when Zach Small drove in a run on a bases loaded sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Tim Swatek who had reached on a leadoff walk. He was advanced to third on a single by Mike Mauri. Jeffery Gibbs managed to get out of the jam after striking out the next two batters he faced. At the end of the inning, Fordham had a 1-0 lead.

The Rams tacked on another run in the top of the third after Tim Swatek knocked in a run on a two out double down the left field line to score Ryan Maghini. Maghini had reached on a one out walk and moved to second after stealing the base. He was then advanced to third base on a groundout by Ryan Lee. Maine ended the inning when catcher Tyler Patzalek (Burlington, Ontario) caught Swatek attempting to steal third. With three innings in the books, Fordham had a 2-0 lead.

Fordham threatened in the top of the sixth inning when Tim Swatek was on third base and about to tag up on a fly ball out, however he was called out for leaving the base too early. Through six innings of play, the score remained 2-0.

Maine chalked a run up on the board in the bottom of the seventh inning after a bases loaded walk by Fordham pitcher Joseph Charest, who up until the bottom of the seventh had been throwing a perfect game. Eric White (Brewer, Maine) was able to draw the walk, bringing in Colin Gay who had also reached on a walk. Alex Calbick (Burnaby, British Columbia) and Tyler Patzalek loaded up the bases with a pair of singles. Charest got the two outs he needed to get out of the jam with only one run scored by Maine.

The Black Bears then tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom half of the eighth inning when Colin Gay hit a two out double to left center, bringing in Mike Connolly (Middleborough, Mass.) from third base. Connolly reached with a double of his own and was advanced to third after Michael Fransoso (Portsmouth, N.H.) grounded out to first base.

The Rams responded with a run in the top of the ninth inning after Ryan Maghini drove Matthew Cianci in from third on a fielder's choice to give Fordham a 3-2 lead. Cianci reached on a double to right field and advanced to third in a fielding error. That run proved to be the game winner after the Black Bears were unable to rally in the bottom of the ninth.

Steve Trask (Saco, Maine) picked up the loss for Maine after throwing for one inning, allowing one hit, one unearned run and a walk. His record now stands at 0-1. Starter Jeffrey Gibbs threw for five innings on the day, allowing only three hits and two runs. He walked four and struck out seven batters. Joseph Charest picked up his first win of the season for Fordham after throwing a complete game. He allowed four hits and two runs with two walks and three strikeouts. His new record is now 1-4.

The Black Bears will return to action on Thursday, March 22 as they take on Brown University. The first pitch will be thrown at 3 p.m.