April 27, 2004

Final Stats

BUFFALO, N.Y. - St. Bonaventure advanced to the title game of the Big 4 Classic with an 8-5 win over Canisius on Tuesday evening at Dunn Tire Park. The Bonnies will face Niagara Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the tournament's title game.

Canisius jumped out to an early 3-1 lead, adding its third run in the top of the fourth.

St. Bonaventure rallied for six runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 7-3 lead. Junior catcher Damian Blakeley cracked a grand slam in the frame to give St. Bonaventure a 5-3 lead. Senior shortstop Eric Wilson followed two batters later with a RBI double, and Bona tacked on another run to go ahead 7-3.

The Golden Griffs kept fighting, scoring once in the fifth and again in the sixth to cut the Bona lead to 7-5.

The Bonnies (16-16) added an insurance run in the botom of the seventh as Matt Agostinelli reached on an error. Pinch runner Shane Sudbrook later scored on a wild pitch.

Canisius (2-30) threatened in the top of the ninth as Bonnies' reliever Sean Bruet loaded the bases. St. Bonaventure freshman Matt Mardeusz ended the threat making a strong throw from third for the final out after he snagged a hard-hit grounder by Adam Montgomery.

Agostinelli improved to 5-2 on the season with the win. He allowed three runs on five hits in four innings while striking out three. All five of his wins have come against the Griffs. Bruet earned his first save of the season, striking out four in two innings of relief.

At the plate, Blakeley led the Bonnies with four RBI, going 2-4. Wilson also finished 2-4 with two RBI and senior Matt Landahl went 3-4 with two runs scored. Landahl added a spectacular, diving catch to rob Canisius' Lee Harber of a hit in the sixth.

There is no admission charge for Wednesday's games at Dunn Tire Park.