April 28, 2004

Final Stats

BUFFALO, N.Y. - St. Bonaventure and Niagara needed extra innings to decide the Big 4 Classic title, but the Purple Eagles edged the Bonnies with a run in the 10th to win 8-7 Wednesday evening at Dunn Tire Park.

The Bonnies and Purple Eagles were held in check through out the early going, as St. Bonaventure held a 2-1 lead going into the sixth.

In the top of the sixth, Niagara scored two to take a 3-2 lead. The Purple Eagles added to their lead, scoring another run in the top of the seventh.

Trailing by two, 4-2, St. Bonaventure regained the lead with a three-run seventh. Dan Bratys hit a RBI fielder's choice to score the first run and Matt Landahl hit a RBI single to tie the score 4-4. Craig King scored on a wild pitch to give the Bonnies a 5-4 lead.

Both teams went scoreless in the eighth, but Niagara regined thelead in the top of the ninth. Niagara's Reed Eastley drew a two-out walk and advanced to second as Paul Solini reached on an error by third baseman Matt Mardeusz. Mike Alati followed with a two-RBI triple to right field to give Niagara a 6-5 lead. Alati would score on the next at-bat as Mike Medici singled up the middle.

St. Bonaventure again rallied and tied the score in the bottom of the ninth. Landahl hit a RBI double to cut the deficit to 7-6. Landahl would tie the score at seven, scoring on a fielding error by Niagara.

In the top of the 10th, Niagara's Vince Ircandia scored as St. Bonaventure short stop Eric Wilson was unable to handle a sharply hit ball.

Junior Damian Blakeley earned a two-out single in the bottom of the 10th, but Niagara's Kyle Nicoletta forced Craig King to pop out to end the game.

Landahl was the hard-luck loser, allowing four runs, none earned, in three and two-thirds innings. He falls to 2-4 on the season with the loss.

Niagara's Nicoletta improved to 5-3 allowing only two runs in three and two-thirds innings of work. Niagara starter Daniel Griffin, who held the Bonnies in check erly stiking out nine in six innings, did not factor in the decision.

At the plate, Landahl led all Bona hitters going 3-5 with two RBI. Brian Pellegrini finished 2-4 with a RBI and Wilson went 1-5 with a RBI.

With the loss, the Bonnies fall to 16-17 on the season, while the Purple Eagles improve to 17-18.

St. Bonaventure will host Temple this weekend beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for noon.