This post was written by Hatchet senior staff writer Josh Solomon.
BRONX, NY—They say hitting is contagious.
If one believed in that maxim, they’d diagnose GW’s offense with a cold.
As the sun came out at Fordham’s field, the bats did not. Across their last two games, the Colonials have scored just three runs.
Saturday afternoon, GW (9-8) fell to the Rams (11-6) 3-1, dropping the series to a team that they went into the weekend with tied, near the top of the Atlantic 10.
Now the Colonials’ season goal of a conference championship is more in question than ever. Sunday’s game will be GW’s chance to avoid falling to .500 and near the cutoff for qualifying A-10s, which will be played at the end of May at Fordham.
“You got to do a gut check and say,’ ‘Hey, can we find a way? And if we can, we’re going to be set up for playoffs.’,” head coach Gregg Ritchie said.
Heading into the series, GW struck out on average 4.4 times a game in conference play. Friday, the Colonials struck out 12 times and 10 times Saturday.
For junior shortstop Kevin Mahala it was a long day at the plate. Batting in the five-hole, leading the team in RBI this season, he struck out twice, including the final out of the game.
“I’m not really sure what it is exactly. I know taking a lot of pitches early in counts is definitely contributing to it. Hittable pitches,” Mahala said. “Something we need to adjust as a whole team.”
His play at shortstop, normally smooth and solid, was choppy and error-filled on the day.
In the third inning, a leadoff walk followed by a one-out single set up a double play opportunity. A ground ball to junior Eli Kashi was booted to load the bases. Then a groundball up the middle was botched by Mahala – his second error of the day, after misplaying a ball in the second inning – as he looked up to the bag while trying to field the ball. The ball ricocheted into the outfield to allow two runs to score, which would be all Fordham would need to win.
“It starts with the defense,” Mahala said. “We struggled defensively today, especially me. We got to be better there. Jake pitched great all day. It’s just a shame we couldn’t pick it up for him defensively.”
It was an outstanding pitching performance by senior Jacob Williams, who got his first start since before conference play (he had been piggy-backing GW’s other starts during weekend play). Ritchie liked the matchup, with Williams’ history against Fordham.
Williams threw seven-plus innings, scattering eight hits, allowing three runs, one earned and striking out six on 111 pitches. He would be the tough-luck loser on the day, however.
“It’s obviously nice to get the start again, especially as senior and the season’s winding down,” Williams said. “Like I said though, I don’t mind pitching out of the pen or starting. Whatever it takes to help get the team a win.”
Perhaps the best chance to support Williams came in the seventh, when Mahala happened to reach on an error. Junior Andrew Selby singled on a bunt. Then came to bat backup catcher, senior Matthieu Robert, who entered for sophomore Brandon Chapman who had struck out twice on the Fordham starter’s curveball.
Robert attempted to bunt but fouled back three pitches for an out. Sophomore Eric Ramsey then lined out to third base. The inning ended on a failed double steal on a 2-2 count, which Ritchie said was only given if the baserunners got a good jump. Mahala was thrown out at third.
“Obviously there’s a little frustration, but everybody has the same feeling that we know we’re better than the way we’ve played lately,” Williams said. “It’s definitely not a panic, we just need to start playing up to our potential and we have full confidence we can do that.”
Sunday GW will get a chance to respark its sputtered offense. Sophomore Brady Renner is the likely starter, but junior Shane Sweeney could start instead. Regardless of who pitches, the Colonials will need to find their offense to avoid losing control of their own postseason destiny.
“You got a chance to put it in your own hands right there and now you make it tough,” Ritchie said. “It’s still possible. It’s still in our hands really. You have to go out and win some series. Tomorrow for me is a must-win game. It’s an absolute must.”
