Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Fordham
Fordham Takes First Game Of Weekend Series 5-3
04.27.12 | Baseball
April 27, 2012
CINCINNATI - Xavier dropped the first game of a three-game Atlantic 10 series to Fordham 5-3 Friday afternoon at Hayden Field. With the loss, XU fell to 20-24 and 6-7 in the A-10 while the Rams improved to 19-26 and 10-6 in the A-10.
Alex Westrick was tagged with the loss in 2.1 innings of action while starter Vinny Nittoli went 6.2 innings of action.
Fordham jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first but solid pitching by Nittoli gave XU the chance to get back into the game.
The Musketeers cut the Rams' lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the third when Mark Elwell reached after being hit by a pitch and stole second. Patrick Paligraf's RBI single through the middle brought Elwell home for the Musketeers' first run of the outing.
XU took the lead in the bottom of the fifth after Daniel Rod led off the inning with a double and came home on a safety squeeze bunt by Elwell. Selby Chidemo executed another safety squeeze to bring home Brian Bruening and gave XU a 3-2 lead.
Fordham rallied with two runs in the top of the seventh and a run in the eighth to take the lead and hold on for the win.
XU and Fordham will play the second game of the weekend tilt Saturday at 1 p.m. at Hayden Field.
