Published: May 1, 2008

The Fordham University Rams women’s softball team came into a midweek doubleheader against the Red Foxes of Marist College riding a hot streak that included two wins against the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and two road wins over Quinnipiac University earlier in the week. The Rams split the twin bill, running their record to 28-23 overall, 7-5 in Atlantic 10 play.

On April 23, the Marist Red Foxes got out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning on the strength of a home run by Annie Castellano. Fordham would rally in the bottom of the fourth, as catcher Allison Storc, FCRH ’08, would cut the Marist lead in half with an RBI triple. Ultimately it was not enough, and Marist’s Megan Rios would finish out the game on the mound, holding the Rams to just four hits over seven innings and securing a 2-1 win.

Game two of the series was a back and forth affair, as the Rams got out to an early 2-0 lead before the Red Foxes came back on the strength of a three-run home run. Fordham regained the lead only to let it slip away yet again, entering the fifth at a 6-6 tie. The Rams regained the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth, when Erin Fisher’s, FCRH ’10, pinch hit double put the Rams ahead for good.

“In the second game, Fisher’s pinch hit was clutch,” said shortstop Samantha  Pellechio, FCRH ’11. “She was there when we needed her.”

Reliever Beckah Wiggins, FCRH ’11, made sure that the Rams held the edge, pitching a hitless 2 2/3 innings as Fordham went on to win with a 9-6 final.

“Beckah is a great pitcher, and she did really well in the second game coming in to close,” Pellechio said. “It is really important to be able to rely on your pitchers in close games, and I think that [she] did a great job of stepping it up and getting it done for our team.”

The Rams swept both games of a doubleheader they played on April 20 at Bahoshy Field against the Charlotte 49ers. Allison Twarowski, FCRH ’08, pitched a complete game to start the afternoon, surrendering only two hits and driving in two runs herself as the Rams went on to a 3-1 win over their Atlantic 10 rivals.

The Rams completed the sweep, despite falling behind early in the second game, when Megan Waldron, FCRH ’09, hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning to give Fordham the win.

The 49ers played a bit of small ball in the first inning to jump out to an early lead. 49er lead-off hitter Sarah Malene reached base with a walk and would advance to third on a stolen base and a sacrifice. Marlene would eventually score on a one-out single driven past second base that put Charlotte on the board early.

But Rams pitcher Beckah Williams, FCRH ’11, rebounded and did not allow another hit for four innings. Williams pitched all seven innings and did not surrender another run.

The Rams trailed going into the bottom of the seventh, having been retired in order in each of the two previous innings. Pellechio reached base with a one-out single that brought up Waldron representing the go-ahead run. Waldron knocked her second home run of the season over the left center field wall and ended the game in exciting fashion.