March 5, 2009

Box Score

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The St. Bonaventure baseball team turned in its most dominating performance during its southern trip on Thursday, as it cruised to an 11-1 win over Lehigh at the Papa John's Challenge.

Senior pitcher Jim Britton ignited the Bonnies to their fourth win in a row by tossing seven solid innings in his second start of the season. Britton retired 20 of the first 22 batters he faced on the afternoon en route to striking out nine batters without issuing a walk. The win improves Britton to 1-1 on the season and was the 14th victory of his career

St. Bonaventure's 4-1 start is its best since 2005 when it went 6-1 during its Florida swing.

The Brown and White continued to swing a hot bat and for the third time in five games finished with double figure hits. Second baseman Kevin Suminski led the 18-hit attack with a 3-for-5 day at the plate that saw the senior miss hitting for the cycle by a double. Suminski drilled the seventh home run of his career and added a triple, while scoring two runs and driving in two more.

The other highlight at the dish came in from freshman Nick Brennan, who made his collegiate debut after missing the opening four games due to injury. Brennan didn't disappoint, collecting a hit in his first three at-bats to finish with two RBI and a run scored.

In all, six different players finished with multi-hit afternoons. Ryan Skellie continues to impress, as the freshman outfielder drove in a team-high four runs on a pair of doubles for his third-multi hit game. Junior Nick Cunliffe reached base four times and scored three runs, as he brought his walk total to five with a pair of freebies. Sophomores Jesse Bosnik and Alex Calderon each had two singles.

St. Bonaventure's first five batters of the game reached base as it took control with a five-run first. Cunliffe earned a walk to open the game and was immediately brought home on Suminski's home run over the left field wall. Senior Anthony Randich's single was followed by Skellie's first double of the game, putting two runners in scoring position. Bosnik made good on his RBI attempt, drilling a single into right center to make it 4-0. After a stolen base by Bosnik put him in scoring position, Brennan recorded his first career hit and RBI in the same at-bat to make it 5-0.

After tacking on one run in the second and third innings, the Bonnies created even more separation with a three-run fifth for a 10-0 advantage. Consecutive bunt singles by Calderon and Cunliffe after a Brennan lead-off single loaded the bases to start the fifth inning. A throwing error by the Lehigh pitcher accounted for one of the runs, while Skellie blasted his second double down the right field line to plate the other two runs.

St. Bonaventure will go for its fifth win in a row and No. 510 of head coach Larry Sudbrook's career on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. when it takes on Akron.