March 31, 2009

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - The St. Bonaventure baseball team continued its strong play on Tuesday afternoon at Fred Handler Park, taking both games of a doubleheader against Big 4 rival Niagara.

A six-run second inning allowed the Bonnies to cruise to a 10-4 win in the opener, while a two-run ninth helped the home team rally for a 6-5 victory in the nightcap.

The two-game sweep runs the Brown and White's win streak to a season-long six games heading into this weekend's Atlantic 10 series against George Washington. The Bonnies have now taking seven straight from the Purple Eagles, as they improve to 13-7 on the season.

Junior Dennis Sherba took the mound in game one, tossing five innings in the win. Sherba allowed six hits and three runs during his time on the hill, but the St. Bona offense supplied the right-hander with nine runs over those five innings. Sherba improved to a perfect 3-0 with the win.

The top half of the lineup did a majority of the damage in the opener, as the 1-5 hitters combined to go 7-for-17 with six runs scored and eight RBI.

With Niagara holding a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the second, the Bonnies blew the game open with six runs to take a 6-2 edge. A pair of RBI singles by sophomore Alex Calderon and senior Brandon Salerno started the inning. Sophomore Jesse Bosnik then drove home two with a double to left centerfield and senior Kevin Suminski followed with a two-run single down the left field line.

The Purple Eagles climbed to within 6-3 in the top of the fourth, but the Brown and White responded again, this time, with a three-run inning. Junior Kyle Gorby extended the Bona lead with a two RBI double over the centerfielder's head to make it 9-3.

Freshman Jordan Crane came on in relief and allowed just one run over two innings of work.

Senior Anthony Randich supplied the last run of the game with his seventh home run in the last two seasons, a solo shot to right field.

St. Bonaventure held the upper hand for most of game two until a two-run sixth inning by Niagara pulled the visitors even at 4-4.

Neither team could push the potential game-winning run across until the ninth inning when Niagara executed a suicide squeeze to take a 5-4 lead.

With their five-game win streak on the line, the Bonnies refused to give up, as both Bosnik and Suminski walked to lead off the bottom of the ninth. Randich tied the game up with a RBI single into left field that brought Bosnik home from second and moved Suminski to third. An intentional walk to Gorby loaded the bases and gave Niagara a force out at each base. Junior Nick Cunliffe's ground ball to first base looked like it was going to give the Purple Eagle's another life, but the throw was low and the catcher was unable to come up with it as Suminski crossed the plate for the game-winning run.

Senior Jim Britton (3-1) earned the win in over two innings of relief work. The victory was the 16th of Britton's career moving him into a tie for fifth place all-time.

Bosnik was the catalyst for most of the afternoon on the offensive end, scoring five runs on four hits over the two games. Bosnik reached base in 7-of-9 plate appearances. Gorby and Randich were next in line with three hits each.

The opener of the weekend set against the Colonials will begin on Friday at 3 p.m. at Fred Handler Park. The game can be heard on WHDL 1450 AM in Olean or via the Stretch Internet button on www.GoBonnies.com.