WILSON, N.C. – The Canisius Baseball team was defeated in its final game against Fordham on Sunday afternoon, as the Rams took down the Griffs 8-5 in Wilson, N.C. With the loss the Blue and Gold drops to 2-6 while Fordham improves to 3-5.

The Griffs overcame a 3-run deficit early in the contest, busting out with four runs in the top of the fourth, but the offense couldn't keep up the pace, scoring just one run the rest of the way. Fordham answered the Blue and Gold output in the bottom of the fifth inning, to retake the lead and never looked back.

Freshman Andrew Kneussle made his second start of the year, and pitched 4.2 innings, allowing five hits, four runs (all earned) and fanned two in the outing.

Michael Ginther came on in relief briefly and pitched one third of an inning and allowed one run on one hit and two walks in four batters he faced.

Aaron Casper followed Ginther and threw two full innings and surrendered three hits and two runs.

Iannick Remillard came on in a non-save situation and pitched the final inning and was touched for a run on a hit and walk, and struck out one batter in the frame.

Jimmy Murphy started the game for the Rams and pitched 4.1 innings and was responsible for four of the Griffs five runs in the game. He yielded seven hits and recorded four strikeouts in the non-decision.  

Ryan Remo, David Manasek and Kirk Haynes Jr., all came on and pitched over an inning each, combining to hold the Griffs to just four hits and one run through 4.2 innings of work.

Newcomers Jake Walter and Mark McKenna both had impressive days at the plate recording three hits on four at bats, with McKenna notching a pair of RBI. Ryan Stekl and Christ Conley recorded the other RBI for the Blue and Gold.

Down 3-0, the Griffs started quickly in the top of the fourth, as Jake Lumley singled to center field, and Ryan Stekl did the same a batter later to score Canisius' first run. Christ Conley recorded the Griffs third-straight double, bringing in Stekl to make it 3-2.

Following a Liam Wilson fly out, John Conti was put on board after getting hit with a pitch and Jake Walter loaded the bases with a single to shortstop.

McKenna recorded his pair of RBI on one swing of the bat, driving in Conti and Conley, as he singled to left field. Anthony Massicci and Tim Kensinger both grounded out to end the rally with the Blue and Gold up 4-3.

Fordham answered back in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring two runs, and added three more in both the seventh and eight innings combined. 

The Griffs attempted a comeback in top of the eighth as Wilson got things started with a single to right field. Following a Conti strikeout, Walter singled to right field as well to put two aboard for the Blue and Gold.

The Rams Haynes Jr. came on in relief and got McKenna to lineout to third base. However the Griffs continue to threaten as Massicci walked and Kensinger reached base on a fielding error, as Wilson scored to make it 8-5.

Lumley came up with the bases juiced but the junior infielder flied out to CF to end the rally and Fordham was able to close the game out 8-5.