The Fordham baseball team failed to record a win against the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Owls this weekend. Despite entering the series coming off of a 9-6 victory in the Battle of the Bronx against Manhattan College, the Rams failed to find consistency on the mound and could not muster a victory against their subtropical opponent. 

In the first game of the series, Fordham got off to a quick start after starting pitcher Gabe Karslo, Gabelli School of Business at Rose Hill (GSBRH) ’22, did not allow a baserunner through two innings and Andy Semo, GSBRH ’22, launched a home run over the left-field fence in the top of the second to give the Rams a 1-0 lead. 

The lead would not last for long, as the Owls scored three runs in the bottom of the third. Fordham would not regain the lead, despite efforts from leadoff hitter C.J. Vazquez, Gabelli Graduate School of Business (GGSB) ’23. The sure-handed shortstop knocked in two of Fordham’s five runs in the eventual loss. In the sixth, a single from Vazquez drove in the tying run to knot the game at 4-4, but FAU took advantage of the struggling Fordham bullpen. 

The Owls scored four runs in the seventh, all attributed to Joseph Quintal, GGSB ’23, who could not make it out of the inning. The Rams only mustered one more run, and they started their road trip off with a 9-5 loss. First baseman Nolan Schanuel, FAU ’24, had a massive game, hitting two doubles and driving in four RBIs. Despite out-hitting the Owls 13 to 10, the Rams could not overcome their pitching woes. 

The second game of the series featured many of the same themes as the first. Fordham got out to an early lead in the top of the third after a couple of wild pitches led to a three-run inning, with a two-run single by Semo doing most of the damage. But starting pitcher Brooks Ey, Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) ’24, could not hold the lead, and it evaporated in the bottom of the third. Schanuel hit a two-run homer, and the Owls scored four runs in the inning at Ey’s expense. 

The day only got worse for Ey, as FAU tacked on another three runs in the fourth to balloon its lead to four. Fordham’s batters tried to claw back into the game, scoring 10 runs by the conclusion of the ninth. But they could not catch up to the Owls’ offensive onslaught. FAU hit three home runs and four doubles en route to a 15-run output. Seven of those runs were attributed to Ey, who pitched 3.2 innings, and six were credited to Cameron Knox, FCRH ’24, who pitched 3.0. 

While competition has been fierce to start the season, it has become clear that Fordham must figure out its issues on the mound sooner rather than later.

The final game did not fare any better for the Rams. Starter Nolan Hughes, GSBRH ’24, allowed two runs and was pulled from the game before the end of the first inning, walking five in just 0.2 innings. He was relieved by Jack Popolizio, FCRH ’23, who allowed four runs in just 3.2 innings. 

Robbie Stewart, FCRH ’25, then entered the game to pitch and allowed another three runs. By the end of the sixth inning, the game was out of hand, and the Rams trailed 9-1. Fordham tacked on another two runs in the final third of the contest, but ultimately fell 10-3. Schanuel had another monster game for the Owls, knocking in four more RBIs.

The Rams averaged six runs per game over the series, but their pitching staff allowed a staggering 34 runs during that same span. While competition has been fierce to start the season, it has become clear that Fordham must figure out its issues on the mound sooner rather than later. 

Fordham will return home on March 9 to face the Stony Brook Seawolves and try to get the season back on track.

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