March 12, 2006

Box Score

PALM BEACH, Fla. - Joe Rizzo hit two home runs and totaled six runs batted in to lead St. Bonaventure to a 15-13 win over Iona on Saturday night at Santa Luces Sports Complex.

St. Bonaventure improved to 3-4 on its season-opening Florida trip while Iona remained winless at 0-10.

The Bonnies fell behind 7-2 after three innings as Iona knocked out starting pitcher Eddie Williams. St. Bonaventure scored three times in the fourth to pull within 7-5. Iona scored a pair off new Bona pitcher John Nolan in the fifth inning to make it 9-5 before Nolan settled down shut out the remainder of his three innings.

Rizzo's first home run, a three-run blast, and a solo homer by sophomore designated hitter Tristan Mulcahy sparked a six-run seventh by St. Bonaventure, giving the Bonnies their first lead of the night at 11-9.

Iona scored once in the eighth to make it 11-10, but Rizzo smacked another three-run homer in the bottom of that frame as the Bonnies scored four runs to go ahead 15-10. The Gaels scored three times in the ninth against senior Sean Bruet but Bruet and the Bonnies hung on for the victory.

Rizzo finished the night 2-6 while junior first baseman Brian Pellegrini went 3-5 and junior third baseman Matt Mardeusz went 3-4.

Nolan recorded his second career win and first of 2006. He allowed only two hits and no walks and struck out five over his four innings of work. Bruet earned his first save of the year.

The Bonnies will complete their Florida trip on Sunday against Long Island University. First pitch is 4:00.