The University of Rhode Island softball team traveled to the Bronx last weekend to compete in a three-game series against the Fordham University Rams, losing two out of three games.
Their lone win, coming in the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday, was the Rams first win at Bahoshy Softball Complex since 2019.
The weekend series also was the start of Atlantic 10 conference competition for the women.
Despite starting the season 2-16 in non-conference play, the Rams felt that their tough schedule had prepared them for A-10 play.
“We were very fortunate to play some very formidable teams,” Head Coach Whitney Goldstein said. “It’s important to continue to make sure that there is that conversation about how this is helping us prepare to play stronger within our own conference.”
The Rams opened up the series on Friday, losing 3-0 with third-year Katie Zaun getting the start for Rhody.
Fordham’s defense and pitching held the Rams to one hit through seven innings, with third-year catcher Kylie Bulinski hitting the lone single. Fordham broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth when Zaun gave up a walk and a double to give Fordham a 1-0 lead. The next inning, Fordham added two runs with a run batted in single from Neleh Nogay and a sacrifice fly from Eva Koratsis to complete the 3-0 win.
In the second game of the doubleheader, Rhody fell behind 2-1 but rallied in the top of the fifth, scoring three runs to eventually win 4-3. Third year Leilyn Alverez delivered the spark Rhody needed, hitting a double through center field to send first-year Riley Frickleton and second-year Hannah Hernandez home. Bulinski hit a single up the middle to bring Alverez home for what would be the game-winning run.
“I know that I succeed with a middle to middle out pitch,” Alvarez said. “I saw my pitch and I went with it.”
Fordham cut the lead to one in the button of the sixth, when Nicki Sudall doubled down the right field line, sending Michaela Carter home. In the bottom of the seventh, Fordham almost sent Rhody home off a walk-off home run, but was robbed by an over-the-shoulder leaping grab at the fence from Alverez.
“With a bigger part of their lineup coming up, I knew that they were going to come up swinging.” Alvarez credited her mental approach to her leaping grab. “In my head I told myself no matter where this ball hit you are catching it even if you have to run through the fence.”
The Rams dropped their last game to Fordham, losing 6-0. Rhode Island wasn’t able to bring home any runs despite getting on base every inning. Fordham scored two runs in the bottom of the third, three in the fourth and a single run in the sixth.
Although the Rams lost the series, the team had full confidence in themselves and their abilities moving forward.
“I think we are very confident and I think the culture and morale is very high,” Goldstein said.
“We’re just a really talented group of girls,” Alvarez said. “We’re not worried.”
The Rams will play their first games at home next weekend as they continue their A-10 play against St. Bonaventure. The two teams will face off in a three-game series that is scheduled to begin with a doubleheader Saturday.