ANNAPOLIS, MD – St. Bonaventure loaded the bases down a run in the ninth inning, but could not get past host Navy Friday afternoon as the Midshipmen held on for a 5-4 victory to open a three-game non-conference series.
The Bonnies were battling from behind early as Navy grabbed a first inning run for a one-run edge that stood until the fourth when Antonio Cordeiro doubled home the tying tally.
In the fifth, Navy pushed ahead with a two-spot for a 3-1 lead that stood until the seventh.
SBU tied the game again when Anthony Fernandez singled through the left side to score both Joey Bruno and Brian Carrothers to send things into the seventh inning stretch at a 3-3 deadlock.
Bona's just could not get over the hump in Friday's game, though, as the tie was short-lived.
A Bonnies error opened the door for Navy to plate two unearned runs in the home seventh to put the hosts ahead once more.
In the eighth, the Bonnies tried to rally again as Alex Hebenstreit drove in a run on a sacrifice fly and the potential tying run moved to third before Navy worked out of the jam on a foul out to end the inning.
After two quick outs in the ninth, the Bonnies chased Navy's reliever by loading the bases following three consecutive walks.
Navy's Aidan Healy coaxed a groundout to end the threat and the ballgame, however.Â
Thus concluded a frustrating day that saw the Bonnies leave 10 men on base.
Fernandez and Chris Hoalcraft had three hits apiece to combine for six of Bona's 10 hits on the day offensively.
David James started and struck out six over his five innings, allowing three runs. Joey Calabretti also tossed two scoreless innings of relief for St. Bonaventure (3-5).
Midshipmen ace Brady Bendik moved to 3-0 on the early season with seven strikeouts over 5.2 innings for Navy (6-2).
The two teams renew acquaintances Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.
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