March 9, 2009

Box Score

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Behind another strong outing from sophomore Cael Johnson, the St. Bonaventure baseball team concluded its stay in the Sunshine State with a 4-1 win over SIU Edwardsville on Monday morning at the Papa John's Challenge.

The win is the second in as many days for the Bonnies over the Cougars, as they end their 10-day stay in Florida with a 6-3 record.

Johnson looked just as good as he did in his win over Villanova, tossing eight solid innings en route to improving to 2-0. Johnson struck out eight, walked just one and scattered seven hits. The Frewsburg Central School product kept SIU off the scoreboard until the seventh inning.

Freshman Nick Brennan's 3-for-4 day at the dish highlighted a 10-hit afternoon for the Bonnies. Junior Anthony Randich drilled his first home run of the season and drove in another run with an RBI single. Freshman Ryan Skellie finished 2-for-5 with an RBI.

The Brown and White opened the scoring in the top of the third with three runs to take a 3-0 lead. After a walk to sophomore Brad Steinbach and a single by Jamie Wallschlaeger put two runners on base, senior Kevin Suminski's ripped a groundball to second base that found its way through the fielder's legs to score Steinbach from second. Randich then singled through the left side to drive home the second run, while Skellie followed with an RBI single also through the left side.

The final run of the game for the Bonnies came in the seventh inning on Randich's sixth career home run in the Brown and White. Randich made it 4-0 with a solo shot over the right field wall.

Johnson gave way to senior Jim Britton in the ninth, who promptly retired the side in order for the save. The appearance was Britton's third of the trip as he finished trip with a 1-1 mark and his second career save.

St. Bonaventure will be back in action on March 17, when it welcomes Big 4 rival Buffalo to Fred Handler Park for the home opener. Gametime on Tuesday afternoon is slated for 2 p.m. The game can also be followed live via gametracker on www.GoBonnies.com.