Temple Falls To Fordham, 9-5 :: Byron McKoy extends hitting streak to 10 games

April 26, 2008

AMBLER, PA - One day after using its speed to beat Temple, visiting Fordham scored five runs on a pair of home runs and never trailed in a 9-5 victory over the Owls on Saturday at Skip Wilson Field. The win ensured a series victory for the Rams, who are back in the Atlantic 10 playoff mix after a slow start. Junior Kyle Obal and freshman Byron McKoy each had a pair of hits for the Cherry and White.

While Fordham's game plan on Friday included 11 steals and only three extra-base hits, the tables were turned on Saturday. The Rams (24-18-1, 8-9 A-10) were able to sit back and swing after DH Chris Kaible gave them a 3-0 lead on a three-run homerun in the first. It marked the fourth straight A-10 series that the Owls have surrendered a first inning long-ball. Fordham stole only three bases, all coming by Danny Leach, and were aided by seven bases on balls issued by three TU pitchers.

The Owls scored an unearned run in the first when McKoy walked, moved to second on junior Jamie Abercrombie's hit by pitch, stole third and scored when the throw sailed into left field.

Temple was without a hit until the third, when senior Stan Orzechowski singled home freshman Ben Flanary, who had walked, with one out to cut the deficit to 3-2.

A three-run fourth inning by the visitors opened the game up for the Rams, who scored all their runs in the frame with two outs. A single by Ryan David made it 4-2 and Alex Kenny then blasted his first home run of the season, a two-run shot to left-center, that gave Fordham a four-run lead.

The visitors scored single runs in each of the next three innings to open up a 9-3 lead before McKoy's team-leading fifth home run of the season cut it to 9-5 in the seventh. McKoy extended his hitting streak to 10 games with the homer.

JP Mack (3-3), who was making just his second start after 13 relief appearances, kept the Owls off balance at the plate. The crafty southpaw picked up the win after allowing four earned runs in 6.1 innings, while striking out seven. Ryan Sheflott pitched the final 2.2 innings and struck out three for the Rams.

Freshman Ben White suffered the loss to fall to 2-3. He allowed seven earned runs in four innings, while striking out five.

The series concludes on Sunday at 1 PM.