March 10, 2008

Box Score

BRADENTON, Fla. - Sophomore John Avanzino (Manhasset, N.Y./Manhasset) racked up six RBI to help lead the Bucknell baseball team to an 8-1 win over Eastern Kentucky on Monday morning at IMG Field. With the victory, the Bison move to 5-2-2 and stretch their unbeaten streak to six, while the Colonels drop to 5-4-1.

In the bottom of the first, Avanzino put the Orange and Blue on the board with his two-out double that scored junior Dane Grandizio (Bloomsburg, Pa./Bloomsburg), who reached base earlier in the inning with an infield single.

Eastern Kentucky promptly tied the score at one with a run in the top of the second. Tyler Rehmel led off with a double down the left field line, moved to third on a sacrifice and came home on a ground out by Eryk Dees.

That was all for the Colonels as the Bison went on to post seven unanswered runs. Junior Bret Sokirka (Wyoming, Pa./Wyoming Area) led off Bucknell's half of the third with a single and with one out, Grandizio logged an infield hit for the second time in the contest. Then with two away in the frame, Avanzino blasted his second home run of the season, bringing the score to 4-1.

The Orange and Blue later added four more insurance runs in the seventh. Sophomore B.J. LaRosa (Jacksonville, Fla./Episcopal) started things off with a single and freshman Joseph DeMarzo (Livingston, N.J./Seton Hall Prep), who pinch ran for LaRosa, scored on the next play, an RBI double by senior Ed Rubbo (Stafford, Va./Colonial Forge). Following a walk to freshman David Bergstrom (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny), Grandizio plated Rubbo with a double and Avanzino capped off the inning with a single up the middle that drove in Bergstrom and Grandizio.

Senior Jason Buursma (Seattle, Wash./Lakeside School) held the Colonels to just one run on seven hits as he went the distance for the Bison to pick up the win (1-0) in the longest outing of his career. In nine innings, Buursma struck out six and walked one. For Eastern Kentucky, Michael Mulholland started and took the loss (2-1) as he threw 6.1 innings and gave up seven runs on eight hits with two walks and three strikeouts. David Owens relieved him and pitched the remaining 1.2 innings, allowing one run on two hits.

Avanzino led Bucknell's offense, going 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, six RBI and one run scored. Grandizio hit 3-for-4, as well, with a double, three runs scored and one RBI.

The Bison next face Eastern Illinois, tomorrow, Mar. 11, at 1 p.m. on IMG Field in Bradenton, Fla.