April 5, 2008

Final Stats

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - After picking up the save in the opener, senior Cody Vincent tossed a complete game victory in game two to led St. Bonaventure to a sweep on the first day of its series against Dayton Saturday on Fred Handler Park at McGraw-Jennings Field.

The lefty from Warren, Pa. hurled a perfect two innings of relief in a 9-5 win in game one to preserve junior Jim Britton's solid seven innings of work. Vincent's complete game gem in the next game helped the Brown and White cruise to a 7-2 win in the nightcap. In all, Vincent went 11 innings on the day, allowing just two runs while striking out six.

St. Bonaventure's all-time leader in innings pitched (309.1) and appearances (60), Vincent's complete game was his first of the season and 12th of his career. In the midst of 11-inning day, Vincent moved into sole possession of second place in the Bona records books for career strikeouts with 194.

The sweep evens St. Bonaventure's record at 4-4 in the Atlantic 10 and 12-9 overall. Dayton slips to 14-13 on the season, but more importantly 2-6 in conference play.

Half of the Brown and White's 24 hits on the afternoon came from the 3-5 batters. The combination of senior Randy Moley, junior Brandon Salerno and sophomore Anthony Randich finished 12-of-22 with six runs scored, four doubles and nine RBI. Randich produced a pair of nearly identical games, going 3-for-4 with one run and two RBI in both. Moley's three hit day was overshadowed by four walks, four runs scored and three stolen bases. Salerno drove in three runs on three hits, including a double in the opener.

After Dayton brought a run across in the first inning of the opener, the Bonnies responded with two runs in their half of the inning to take a 2-1 edge. Randich drove home the first run with an RBI single, while Salerno doubled to right center for the second run.

Britton kept the Flyers off the scoreboard the next three innings, allowing the Brown and White to stretch their lead in the bottom of the fourth. Junior Ryan Pillitteri doubled to right center to bring home sophomore Nick Cunliffe to make it 3-1. Pillitteri didn't wait long on second as junior Kevin Suminski laced an RBI single for a 4-1 lead.

Dayton broke its three-inning scoreless streak with two runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to regain the lead, 5-4. The Flyers' four runs came on only three hits, as they were aided by two St. Bonaventure errors and a pair of walks issue by Britton.

The UD lead was short-lived as the Bonnies rallied back to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth. Senior T.J. Pennino doubled to start things and freshman Jamie Wallschlaeger singled through the left side to bring home Pennino for a 5-5 score.

Britton hurled a scoreless seventh and was put in line for the win with some timely run support in the later half of the inning. St. Bonaventure loaded the bases to beginning the inning thanks to double by Bosnik, walk to Moley and single by Randich. Despite Salerno hitting into a double play, Bosnik was able to score the go-ahead run to make it 6-5. Cunliffe then delivered an insurance run with a single through the left side to bring home Moley for a 7-5 led.

The ball was then handed over to Vincent who made quick work of the Flyers in both the eighth and ninth for his second save of the season. Vincent faced the minimum in his two innings, striking out two in the process.

The Bonnies tacked on two more in the eight for the 9-5 final score.

Making the second start of his collegiate career, Wallschlaeger finished 3-for-4 with a standup triple. All nine St. Bonaventure starters finished with at least one hit as the team pounded out 13 in the matinee.

Britton improved to 3-2 on the season with the win and was only charged with three earned runs in his seven innings. Britton struck out four and allowed five hits.

Game two belonged to the Bonnies from the outset, as the home team plated all seven of its runs in beginning of the game. St. Bonaventure scored two in the first, one in the second, three in the third and one more in the fourth for a commanding 7-0 lead.

On the flipside, Dayton failed to figure out Vincent all day, as it just barely succeeded in breaking up the lefty's shutout in the eighth inning.

The two teams will take the field for the final time on Sunday with first pitch slated for noon.