Rhode Island defeated Fordham 5-4 in the final game of their series on April 19. The win came after Rhode Island scored five runs in the fifth inning to overcome a one-run deficit.
The result allowed Rhode Island (16-23, 5-13 Atlantic 10) to salvage the last game of the series. The game was notable for a lengthy rain delay and strong performances from several players on both teams.
Fordham (18-24, 9-9 A-10) took an early lead in the second inning when Eva Koratsis doubled and later scored on a single by Victoria Klimaszewski. Rhode Island responded in the fifth inning, starting with Meg McNally’s walk and Hannah Hernandez’s single. Kylie Bulinski tied the game with an RBI single, followed by Becca Zawistowski driving in two more runs with a single up the middle. An error later in the inning allowed two additional runs to score, giving Rhode Island a four-run lead.
Ashley Hibbard pitched five innings for Rhode Island, allowing two runs while scattering four hits and walking five batters. Olivia Kuhnel entered as relief after a rain delay that lasted nearly two-and-a-half hours. Kuhnel managed to secure key outs despite Fordham’s late rally attempts, including ending both the sixth and seventh innings under pressure.
Notable individual performances included Meg McNally reaching base twice and stealing once; Kylie Bulinski extending her streak of reaching base safely to twenty consecutive games; Becca Zawistowski contributing two hits; and Natalie Maleitzke being hit by a pitch for her eleventh career time—a mark that ranks tenth all-time in program history.
Looking ahead, Rhode Island is scheduled to play at Boston University on Tuesday, April 21 at 1 p.m., with streaming available on ESPN+.
