BRONX, N.Y. – Nate Thomas hit a three-run home run to give the Hawks the lead for the second consecutive day and the Saint Joseph's baseball team did not relinquish it en route to a 4-2 win over Fordham at Houlihan Park on Saturday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED
• It was deja vu all over again, this time in the top of the third, as Brett Callahan and Conlan Wall drew walks in front of Thomas, who deposited the first pitch of his at bat over the right field fence to stake the Hawks to a 3-0 lead.

• Tim Cavanaugh led off the fourth with a triple and came in to score on a sacrifice fly by Luca Trigiani to push the lead to 4-0.

• Fordham (11-29 overall, 4-10 Atlantic 10) cut the Hawk lead in half in the bototm of the fourth after a two-out error extended the inning and another allowed two runners to score.

• Saint Joseph's (24-16 overall, 9-5 Atlantic 10) got some outstanding relief work from Matt McShane and Ryan Devine, who combined to retire the final 13 Fordham hitters of the day to secure the victory.

BEHIND THE BOX SCORE
• McShane earned the win after allowing just one base runner and striking out six in three and two-thirds innings of shutout, hitless relief.  Devine notched his fifth save with a perfect ninth, fanning two.  Cameron Knox allowed four runs on four hits and seven walks to take the loss for the Rams.

• Luke Smith got the start for SJU but didn't factor into the decision; he was charged with two unearned runs on six hits in four and a third innings.

• Thomas' three RBI led the way, while Wall walked three times and Callahan stole a pair of bases.

UP NEXT
The teams will play the series finale on Sunday at noon.