May 11, 2007

Box Score

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - St. Bonaventure jumped out to a 3-0 lead and went on to a 4-1 upset win over 22nd-ranked Charlotte in Atlantic 10 play Friday night at Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium. It was the Bonnies' second win over a nationally-ranked opponent this season and another key win in their post-season hopes.

The Bonnies improved to 22-21 overall and 12-9 in A-10 play, while Charlotte lost for just the fourth time in A-10 games this season, falling to 38-10 overall and 18-4 in the conference. The loss was only the fourth for the 49ers at home this season.

The Bonnies jumped on the board early, scoring three runs in the fourth on four hits, including a bunt single against Charlotte ace Adam Mills. The three runs tied for the most given up by Mills in a game this season.

Charlotte answered when Brad McElroy hit a leadoff homer in the bottom half of the fourth.

The Bonnies added an insurance run with a homer in the ninth, a solo shot by Josh Sova with two outs.

Left fielder Joe Rizzo, third baseman Kieran Malone and shortstop Josh Perkins all had a pair of hits for the Bonnies.

Mills finished the day giving up nine hits and no walks, with four strikeouts in the loss (11-2). He hit two batters in the game.

Bonnies starter Jim Britton was superb against the A-10's top offensive club. The redshirt sophomore gave up just the one run on five hits and a pair of walks in seven innings for the win (5-3). Reliever Cody Vincent tossed two scoreless innings to record his second save of the season.

The Bonnies and 49ers will continue their three-game series on Saturday afternoon.