May 4, 2007

Box Score

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - A rocky eighth inning proved to be the difference as St. Bonaventure fell to Duquesne 4-1 on Friday afternoon at Fred Handler Park.

With the score knotted 1-1 in the top of the eighth, Brian Bernardo got things started for the Dukes with a single to left field. Bernardo advanced to third when Nolan Pena's bunt attempt was misplayed by Bonnies' first baseman Josh Sova, and scored on a passed ball to put Duquesne up 2-1.

A fielding error two batters later allowed Pena to score from third, and a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded propelled Duquesne to a 4-1 victory.

The Bonnies took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on senior left fielder Joe Rizzo's RBI double, but found themselves tied after Duquesne responded with a run in the sixth.

Both teams received strong pitching performances, as Bonnies' starter Jim Britton and Dukes' ace Jeff Naughton pitched complete games. Britton (4-3) allowed two earned runs on five hits and struck out three batters, while Naughton (6-2) surrendered just one run on nine hits.

St. Bonaventure left nine runners on base in the game.

Rizzo went 2-4 with an RBI double, while All-America candidate Brian Pellegrini finished 1-4 with a double and a run scored. Pellegrini, hampered by a leg injury, was the Bonnies' designated hitter and did not play the field.

St. Bonaventure (19-21) fell to 9-9 in the Atlantic 10 Conference, while Duquesne (17-23) picked up its fourth win in five games to improve to 7-12 in the A-10.

The Bonnies and the Dukes continue their three-game series on Saturday at Handler Park. The first pitch is set for 12 p.m.