Game 1 PDF Box Score
Game 2 PDF Box Score
CINCINNATI – Behind Jordan Crane's first career complete game, St. Bonaventure (16-20, 7-8 Atlantic 10 Conference) earned a split in a doubleheader against Xavier (23-20, 8-7 A-10) Saturday afternoon at Hayden Field, taking game one, 2-1, and dropping the second matchup, 6-1.
In the first game, Xavier carried a 1-0 lead off the strength of a 1st-inning home run into the 7th inning, but that's when the Bonnies started their comeback. First baseman Austin Ingraham kicked it off with a leadoff four-pitch walk before Nick Brennen was hit by a pitch and catcher Michael Grieco singled through the right side.
Freshman Justin Brozick then pinch hit, and delivered a clutch, two-strike RBI single to right to tie the game. Senior Alex Calderon broke the deadlock with an RBI single up the middle to score Brennen to give the Bonnies their 2-1 lead.
That was all the run support Crane would need as he was brilliant. The junior shut down the A-10's third-best offense in limiting the Musketeers to six hits and just one earned run. He struck out three and walked just as many in lowering his ERA to 2.90.
Crane (2-2) started the year as a reliever but has gradually worked his way into the starting rotation, and on Saturday hurled 118 pitches. His previous career high for innings pitched came last weekend when he tossed eight in scattering seven Saint Louis hits.
After pounding out a season-high-tying 18 hits on Friday, the Bona offense could muster just seven off Xavier pitching in the first game, but it was still enough to get the victory. Brozick finished the day 2-for-2 as the lone Bonnie to record a multi-hit effort. Sophomore Billy Urban went 1-for-4 in running his hitting streak to eight straight games.
In game two, Xavier jumped out to a 3-0 lead after picking up a run in the 4th and a pair in 5th. The Bonnies answered with a run in the 7th, started by a one-out walk by Calderon. Senior Brad Steinbach followed with another walk, and sophomore Eric Jutca sent the first pitch he saw down the right-field line for an RBI double to plate Calderon and get the Bonnies within two at 3-1.
However, Xavier responded with a three-run home run off reliever Jamie Wallschlaeger in the bottom of the frame, and the Bona bats went quietly the rest of the day.
Starter Cael Johnson was lifted after 4.1 innings of work in which he scattered three hits and allowed three runs, two earned. The right hander walked five while striking out two in was credited with the loss.
Urban extended his hitting streak to nine consecutive with a 1-for-3 effort, and sophomore Jason Radwan went 2-for-4.
St. Bonaventure returns to action for a single midweek game when it hosts the Vikings of Cleveland State on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. from Fred Handler Park.
