Photo by Vincent Dusovic
Despite the recent weather woes, Fordham University’s teams have been busy at work, breaking records and winning games. Here is a brief update on the spring squads:
Photo by Vincent Dusovic
SOFTBALL
The Fordham softball team has continued to roll through their schedule, winning 23 of its last 24 games, highlighted by a school-record 16-game winning streak that was broken with a loss to Saint Joseph University on April 7. As of April 16, the Rams are 31-13 overall, marking the fifth straight year in which the softball squad has won 30 or more games. They are 11-1 in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
The Rams broke some school records in a 22-4 win over Temple University on April 5 in which they connected on a school-record five home runs in the game. The 22 runs surpassed the former school record of 16 set against the University of Rhode Island in 2005, while the five home runs broke the old record of four.
In addition to the team records set in the game, Krystle Henry collected three hits to bring her career total to 191, breaking the school record 188 set by Ivy Pollock from 2001 to 2005, and Melissa Andrews tied two school single-game records with a pair of home runs and seven RBIs. Andrews becomes the ninth Ram to hit two home runs in one game, the last since Allison Storc on March 31 of last year, while also tying Allison Twarowski’s single game record with seven RBIs.
Rams players were recognized for their strong play. Melissa Andrews was named the Atlantic 10 Co-Player of the Week for the week ending April 8 when she hit a sizzling .545 on the week (12-22) with a double, three home runs and 12 RBI, and pitcher Nicole Ayres was named Atlantic 10 Co-Rookie of the Week for the week ending April 8. This is the second Rookie of the Week honor for Ayres, who went 3-1 on the week with a 0.84 ERA in four appearances with 18 strikeouts and only four walks.
BASEBALL
The Fordham baseball squad has been as hot as its softball counterparts, winning eight of its 13 games, including two series agains Atlantic 10 rivals Duquesne and St. Bonaventure universities. The team’s record is now 18-14 overall and 8-4 in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
The Rams have been getting it done with pitching, compiling the second best team earned-run average (ERA) in the Atlantic 10. Leading the way has been Cory Riordan who was selected Atlantic 10 Baseball Co-Pitcher of the Week for the week ending April 2. On the week, Riordan threw a complete-game, four-hitter, and struck out 10 in the Rams’ 9-0 win over St. Bonaventure. The shutout was the fourth career shutout for Riordan while the 10 strikeouts were two shy of his career best of 12.
Other hurlers who have been hot lately include Javier Martinez, who is 3-0 in his last three starts, including picking up his 20th career win with a 7-2 victory over the University of Dayton on April 14. He is just the seventh Fordham pitcher in school history to reach the 20-win mark.
TRACK & FIELD
The Fordham track-and-field teams have been setting school records as Lindsey Kingsland won the discus throw at the Southern Connecticut State Invitational with a toss of 135′ 8″, breaking her one-week-old school record of 133′ 3″ set at the Monmouth Opener. Kingsland also took sixth in shot put with a season-best throw of 35′ 9.5″.
On the men’s side, Matt DiBuono took second in the hammer at the USMMA Invitational while setting a school record with a throw of 181′ 3″, breaking his former record of 175′ 11″ set at the Monmouth Season Opener. DiBuono also took second in the shot put, with a season-best toss of 46′ 5.25″, while placing third in the discus with a season-best throw of 136′.
GOLF
In its most recent action, the Fordham golf team finished in a tie for ninth at the Lafayette Invitational on April 14. Will Dardani shot a 77 to finish in a tie for 12th in the individual competition while teammate Michael Finocchi carded a 79 to tie for 30th.
ROWING
After winning the Varsity 8, Varsity 4 and Novice 8 at the Manhattan Invitational on March 31, the Fordham crew team competed in the prestigious Knecht Cup on April 14 where the Novice 8 won its heat and finished in fifth place in the Petite Final.
For up-to-date information on all the Fordham teams, please go to the Fordham Athletics website atwww.fordhamsports.com.
By Joseph DiBari
