May 2, 2006

Box Score

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - Niagara had 21 hits en route to a 12-8 win over St. Bonaventure on Tuesday afternoon at McGraw-Jennings Field.

The visitors jumped out to a 5-1 lead after two innings against Bonnies starter John Nolan, who gave up six runs on 11 hits in four innings of work. Nolan was charged with the loss and fell to 2-2 on the year.

Junior Ryan Kerr threw four innings after relieving Nolan in the fifth, and gave up six runs on nine hits with one strikeout. Freshman Kevin Suminksi pitched the ninth for the Bonnies.

Junior first baseman Brian Pellegrini upped his hit streak to 17 games with a solo home run in the first inning. Pellegrini has 12 home runs this season, and is two shy of Mike Rapacioli's single season home run record (14 set in 2001). Pellegrini went 2-for-3 with two RBI.

St. Bonaventure trailed 12-4 in the eighth inning but threatened a comeback when junior second baseman Kieran Malone doubled to right center to score junior third baseman Matt Mardeusz from first base. After a Dan Bratys single, sophomore center fielder Randy Moley drove Malone in with an RBI double to cut the lead to 12-6. Junior shortstop Josh Perkins then tripled to drive in two more runs as the Bonnies pulled within 12-8, but Pellegrini flied out to right field to end the late-inning rally.

Moley went 3-for-4 with two RBI, and Bratys finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Designated hitter Tim Alberts led the way for Niagara as he finished 5-for-6 with four RBI. Shortstop Andrew MacNevin chipped in three hits in four at bats, and scored four runs.

The Bonnies fell to 19-16 on the year, while Niagara improved to 22-20.

St. Bonaventure will host Canisius tomorrow (May 3) at 3:00.