It was high drama all game long, featuring gutsy pitching, stellar defense, and clutch hits in the 2019 Atlantic 10 Baseball Championship game held at Fordham’s Houlihan Park. However in the end, it was the keen eye of Fordham senior catcher Justin Bardwell that capped the game, as he drew a bases loaded walk to force in the winning run, giving the Rams a 4-3 win over the Dayton Flyers and the team’s second ever Atlantic 10 Championship title.
With the win, Fordham receives the Atlantic 10’s automatic bid into the NCAA Championship, which will be the team’s eighth appearance overall and first since 1998.
“I’m so proud of our guys and the way they played this week. This team has fought so hard all year and I’m beyond happy for them,” said head coach Kevin Leightonafter the game. “Watching them celebrate on the field and be the last team standing was amazing. Our players, our coaching staff, and alumni deserved this.”