Published: April 22, 2010

Coming into this season, the Fordham’s men’s baseball team knew it was loaded with potential. However, the team got off to a rocky start in non-conference play, compiling a 4-15 record. Since that tough stretch, Atlantic 10 Conference play has started and the Rams have really begun to hit their stride. Fordham took two games out of three on the road from both Richmond and St. Bonaventure, and now sit just two games out of the conference lead with an A-10 record of 5-4.

Within these first couple weeks of play, Rams Max Krakowiak and Brian Pendergast, both Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) ’11, were honored as Atlantic-10 Pitchers of the Week in back-to-back weeks. Krakowiak received the honor after earning his first victory of the season, a 5-1 victory over Richmond on March 27.

“It felt good,” said Krakowiak, who allowed just one earned run in his first career complete game. “I had some tough luck early in the season, but it’s a long season. I just stuck with it and it paid off.”

Pendergast received the A-10 pitcher of the week honor after holding a hot Rhode Island Team to just one run over seven innings of work, in a 13-2 Fordham victory on April 2. “I always expect to do very well,” Pendergast said. “It’s always rewarding to do well and I’m always happy to help the team out.”

Pendergast felt that Fordham’s pitchers receiving the honor in back-to-back weeks spoke volumes of the pitching staff as a whole. “I think we have some of the best pitching in the league and this shows it,” he said.  “Pitching    wins championships.”

In the same week as Krakowiak’s pitching honor, Fordham outfielder Ryan Lee, FCRH ’13, was recognized with the A-10 Rookie of the Week award. Lee batted .462 (6-13) with three runs scored, two stolen bases, and three RBIs over his four-game hit streak. In their series opener victory against Richmond, Lee recorded the would-be game-winning RBI-single. “It was a good feeling, but as long as we win it doesn’t really matter whose RBI it is,” Lee said.

This unselfish team-first mentality is exactly the attitude all three members had towards their individual accomplishments. While they were happy with their individual accolades, each noted that the team’s success was more important.

“It was very cool to win Rookie of the Week,” Lee said. “It was not expected it at all. I was just happy that we played well against Richmond and won the series. And getting the award was just a plus.”

“It was cool but I was more excited about the series win against Richmond,” Krakowiak said. “I wasn’t able to contribute as much to the team last year because of an injury, but this year I have been able to stay healthy and help the team win some games.”

“It was a nice honor,” Pendergast said. “I’m happy to get the award. I hope to keep pitching well and continue to put our team in position to win games.”

The three felt that though the team struggled in non-conference games, it helped prepare them for conference play. “Playing against a higher caliber team makes you more competitive,” Pendergast said. “There is more edge, more excitement, and more intensity that helps you be competitive.”

Now back in conference play, the goal for this team is clearer than ever: nothing short of winning the A-10 conference and the A-10 tournament. “Its always good to be close to the top of the conference, but our goal is to be at the top of the conference,” Krakowiak said. “We have the abilitity to pitch, hit and play defense as well as anyone in the conference. I think we have great team chemistry and a desire to win.”

Lee said, “I do believe we have the tools to win a championship, whether we do or not will be dependent on if we actually use all of our tools.”