LEWISBURG, Pa. – After winning the first game of a doubleheader against Bucknell, 6-5, the St. Bonaventure baseball team (17-16) couldn't complete the sweep as it dropped the second contest, 5-0, to snap a season-best four-game winning streak.
Junior Jason Radwan and senior Ryan Skellie paced the Bona offensive attack with three hits each over the two, seven-inning games, including SBU's only two hits in the second contest.
After going 1-for-4 in the first game, junior Billy Urban had his streak of reaching base safely in 27 straight games come to an end in the second game as he went 0-for-3 at the plate. In the 4th inning of the second game, Urban lined into an unassisted triple play.
In the opening game, Urban drove in the game-winning run in the top of the 7th on a single to left which scored Radwan. Radwan had led off the inning with a walk before advancing to second on stolen base – his first of the season and just the 10th of the year by the Bonnies.
Bucknell spotted SBU a four-run lead, but the Bison eventually fought back to tie the game, 5-5, with a three-run 4th inning before Urban's game-deciding hit.
Bona scored four runs in the 2nd inning, started by a sacrifice fly by senior Michael Grieco which scored Skellie, who had led off the frame with a triple to left center. Radwan later followed with a two-RBI single up the middle, and junior Austin Ingraham capped the scoring with a single through the right side.
After the Bison tallied one run in the bottom of the 2nd, the Bonnies responded with a run in the 3rd, and once again it was the combo and Grieco and Skellie. For the second consecutive inning, Skellie led off with a triple, and Grieco drove him home with a single to center field.
Sophomore Asa Johnson started for the Bonnies, but left with a no-decision after tossing 3.2 innings in which he allowed eight hits and five earned runs. His older brother, Cael Johnson, entered in relief and earned the victory by throwing 3.1 frames, allowing just three hits and striking out five while walking none.
The win was the first for Johnson (2-5) since his first start of the season – SBU's second game of the season on Feb. 25.
In game two, Bucknell scored two runs in the 2nd, two more in the 4th and one more in the 6th as the Bonnies were shut out for the first time in a non-conference tilt this year. Senior Nick Brennen (1-2) started for Bona and allowed two earned runs over his two innings pitched. Urban tossed two innings in relief, and Radwan also threw two frames.
St. Bonaventure returns to action this weekend in a three-game Atlantic 10 series against Saint Joseph's. The Bonnies – fresh off a series sweep last weekend which got themselves right back into the postseason race – come into the set just two games out of the sixth, and final, A-10 Championship position with four series remaining.
