After winning each of their last 10 games, Fordham’s softball team was twice defeated by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte on March 22. In both games, the Rams led until the late innings, but the 49ers fought hard and overcame Fordham by a pair of runs. The final score for the first match was 10-8, while Fordham lost the second game 9-7.

The Rams were the first to score during the first game on Friday afternoon, getting on the board in the top of the first inning. With two outs recorded, a double from Elise Fortier, Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) ’14, and walks to Gabby Luety, FCRH ’14, and Kayla Lombardo, FCRH ’15, set up a bases-loaded situation for Michele Daubman, FCRH ’15. Daubman ripped a two-run single to give Fordham the 2-0 lead over Charlotte. But in the bottom of the second inning, Charlotte broke out and scored five runs against pitcher Jamie LaBovick, FCRH ’13, to lead the Rams 5-2.

It did not take long for Fordham to respond. At the top of the third inning, Fortier hit a solo homerun to cut the 49ers’ lead to 5-3. Fordham would again score at the top of the fourth. Charlotte gave up a pass ball as well as walks to Fortier, Luety, Lombardo, and Daubman. The Rams were able to score three runs in the inning, although no one recorded a hit. Fordham regained the lead at 6-5.

At the top of the fifth, for the third consecutive inning, Fordham was able to plate a few more runs. Both LaBovick and Luety had RBI singles to give Fordham the 8-5 lead. Although Charlotte managed to score a run in the bottom of the fifth inning, Fordham was still in the lead until the sixth inning. The 49ers managed to come up with four runs on five hits in the bottom of the sixth. The team’s four run rally put them up 10-8 over the Rams, giving them the lead for good.

In game two of the double-header, Charlotte immediately jumped on top. The 49ers scored five runs on five hits in the bottom of the first inning, giving the Rams a tough road ahead with a lot of game left to play. It was not until the top of the third inning that the Rams started to chip away at the five-run deficit. With no outs, LaBovick doubled and moved up to third base when Sammi Smith, FCRH’ 15, hit a single. Luety then plated LaBovick with a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to four runs. Smith stole second base and was able to score when Lombardo singled.

During the bottom of the third inning, the 49ers scored another run, increasing their lead to four. However, the Rams were able to knock in another pair of runs in the top of the fifth inning to put Fordham within two. After Paige Ortiz, FCRH ’15, doubled to left center and Claudia Law, FCRH ’16, singled to left field, LaBovick came up to bat. She ripped a double into left field and both Ortiz and Law were able to score. The 49ers lead shrunk, and the score sat at 6-4.

At the top of the sixth inning, the Rams’ offense came alive once more. Chelsea Palumbo, FCRH ’13, walked to start off the inning. Then, LaBovick singled and Smith reached on a fielder’s choice. Fortier then plated another two RBI’s, when she doubled to left field. A few batters later, Smith drew a hit-by-pitch while the bases were loaded, forcing a run home for the Rams. The Rams now lead 7-6 with just the bottom of the sixth inning to play.

Fordham would have done well to capitalize on the remaining three base-runners, because in the bottom of the sixth inning, Charlotte came back swinging. The 49ers scored three runs in the final half inning, including a two-run homerun by Chelsea Ingersoll, giving Charlotte a 9-7 lead. In the top of the seventh inning, Fordham managed to get a single from LaBovick. However, Palumbo and Taylor Pirone, FCRH ‘15, both struck out looking and Smith struck out swinging to end the game.

One of the stars of this year’s team has definitely been Elise Fortier. The junior was named an Atlantic 10 Player of the Week for the week of March 19. She also made the NFCA Top Performer Honor Roll. During the Rams’ ten-game winning streak Fortier went 5-for-9 with a .556 average and all five hits being homeruns. She also walked eight times during the winning streak, and had an incredible 2.222 slugging percentage. Fortier continued playing well in both losses to Charlotte on Friday. You can see Fortier and the rest of the softball team on their next home stand, on March 28 and March 30, when they play conference games against La Salle and George Washington.