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WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — After opening the season with a pair of performances that were uncharacteristic of a Larry Sudbrook-led team, St. Bonaventure turned in a spirited effort against Big 12 foe and 2009 NCAA Tournament participant Kansas State before falling in 11 innings to the Wildcats, 14-7, Monday afternoon on the third day of RussMatt Central Florida Invitational.

The Bonnies led 5-4 heading into the top of the eighth, but Kansas State plated the game-tying run that eventually led to extra innings.

In the extra innings, both teams turned in a scoreless 10^th, but the Wildcats took control of the game with a deflating nine-run l1th inning that blew open the tightly-played contest.

St. Bonaventure refused to go away, plating two runs in its half of the 11^th, but the nine-run deficit was too much to overcome as it fell to 0-3 on the season, Kansas State, who won over 40 games in 2009 and received votes in the most recent national poll, improved to 5-1.

After producing just nine hits over the first two games, the Bona bats doubled their output with 18 against the Wildcats. All nine positional starters finished with at least one hit, while it was junior Jesse Bosnik who led the way going 4-for-6 with two runs scored and an RBI. Freshman Billy Urban continued to swing a hot bat, finishing with three hits, including a triple. Junior Ryan Mosher also contributed three hits, including a double, while sophomore catcher Michael Grieco reached base in four of six plate appearances.

Senior Dennis Sherba, who equaled the single-season record for wins (8) in 2009, started on the mound and lasted 4.1 innings. Sherba left the game trailing 3-2 in the fifth before turning the ball over to junior Cael Johnson, whose first start of the season was cut short due to a rain delay.

Johnson lasted the next 4.2 innings, holding a potent Wildcat lineup to just four hits while striking out six en route to leading the Bonnies into the extra innings.

The combo of senior Cory Sudbrook and junior Brad Steinbach got the Brown and White through the 10^th inning, but the Bona bullpen couldn't fend of Kansas State in the 11^th inning.

The Bonnies took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the seventh when they turned a 4-3 deficit into a 5-4 lead with two runs. Urban's triple led off the inning and the freshman was brought home in the very next at-bat on a groundout by Bosnik. A walk to sophomore Ryan Skellie set the stage for sophomore Nick Brennen, who laced a two-out RBI double down the left field line to bring home his outfield mate.

Kansas State's game-tying run in the eighth that forced the extra innings came on a two-out single.

St. Bonaventure will look to break into the win column on Tuesday as it continues play in the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational against Valparaiso. Gametime is slated for 2:30 p.m.