April 23, 2008

Final Stats

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - The St. Bonaventure baseball team plated five runs in the bottom of the ninth but it wasn't enough to overcome an eight-run deficit as it fell to Patriot League foe Bucknell, 9-6, on Wednesday afternoon at Fred Handler Park in a nine inning non-conference contest.

The Bonnies made things interesting in the ninth as the potential game-winning run came to the plate on two occasions with the bases loaded. The Bison were able to escape with the win as starting shortstop Ben Allen moved to the mound to record the final two outs via the strikeout.

The loss slips the Bonnies' mark to 20-16 on the year, while Bucknell picks up its 21st win of the season.

Sophomore starter Dennis Sherba took the loss on the mound after suffering through a couple of long innings. Sherba lasted until the third, but was replaced by sophomore Brian Hardner without recording an out in the inning. Sherba allowed a total of seven runs in two innings. Hardner kept Bucknell at bay for the most part, allowing two runs in a solid five innings of work. The final two scoreless innings were tossed by right-handers Brad Steinbach and Cory Sudbrook.

Until its five-run and three-hit ninth inning, the Bona bats had managed just three hits through the opening eight innings. Senior T.J. Pennino went 2-for-3 from the leadoff sport in the lineup, while classmate Randy Moley went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI.

Trailing 9-1 entering their final at-bat, the Bonnies made quick work on Bison reliever David Solan who started the inning. Solan failed to record an out as all six batters he faced reached base. Pinch-hitter Tristan Mulcahy began the inning with a single to centerfield and was followed by a walk to pinch-hitter Cael Johnson. Pennino then singled through the right side, but Mulcahy held at third to load the bases. Freshman Jamie Wallschlaeger then worked a walk to score Mulcahy to make it 9-2. Things got worse for Solan as Moley's hit down the right field line bounced fair off the chalk line for a ground rule double that scored both Johnson and Pennino. With two runners in scoring position and first base open, Solan then hit senior Josh Sova to reload the bases.

Bucknell skipper Gene Depew had seen enough and moved Allen into pitch. After making the short walk from shortstop over to the mound, Allen quickly walked both Nick Cunliffe and Kevin Suminski forcing in two runs in the process to make it 9-6. With the go-ahead run at the plate, Allen settled down getting both Mulcahy and Johnson to strikeout looking to end the game.

St. Bonaventure will be back in action on Friday as it starts its three-game A-10 weekend series at Xavier. First pitch in Cincinnati, Ohio, is slated for 2:30 p.m.