March 26, 2008

Box Score

LEWISBURG, Pa. - Sophomore John Avanzino (Manhasset, N.Y./Manhasset) went 5-for-6 at the plate with four RBI and three runs scored, helping the Bucknell baseball team to an 18-7 victory over Susquehanna on Wednesday afternoon at Depew Field. The win, which was the fourth straight for the Bison, moves the squad to 10-9-2 on the season, while the Crusaders fall to 8-9.

Twelve different members of the Orange and Blue combined for a total of 24 hits, two shy of the school record. Following Avanzino, junior Andrew Loucks (Mississauga, Ontario/Appleby College) finished 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and two RBI.

Bucknell started the contest with seven runs on seven hits in the first. The first five crossed the plate with no outs, capped off by back-to-back RBI doubles by junior Zachary Brown (Stroudsburg, Pa./Notre Dame) and Loucks.

The Bison added five more in the second, tallying seven hits in the frame. Avanzino and Loucks belted the squad's third and fourth doubles of the contest as the Orange and Blue batted around four a second straight inning.

In the top of the third, the Crusaders began with four straight hits, including a bases-clearing double by Tyler Reichard and finished with four in the frame before managing to plate a fifth run in the next inning.

After being held off the board in the third, the Bison posted a three-run fourth. Avanzino began the scoring with his second double of the afternoon to drive in freshman Billy Lupo (Nutley, N.J./Nutley).

Susquehanna managed to plate its sixth run of the contest in the top of the fifth as Brian Ahearn belted a one-out triple and scored on a sacrifice fly, but Bucknell would answer with two more of its own in the team's next turn at-bat. Avanzino plated freshman Joseph DeMarzo (Livingston, N.J./Seton Hall Prep) and Lupo for the Orange and Blue with a single to left center.

The teams traded runs in the eighth, the Crusaders scoring on an RBI groundout by Jason Gaccione and the Bison capitalizing on an error with junior Jared Kuhmerker (Alexandria, Va./TC Williams) coming home on the play.

Freshman Daniel Hart (Levittown, N.Y./Island Trees) earned his first collegiate victory (1-0) for the Bison, pitching three innings and allowing four runs on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Andy Hergan took the loss (0-2) for Susquehanna after surrendering 12 runs, 10 earned, on 14 hits with one walk and one strikeout.

Bucknell will next travel to West Point, N.Y., where the squad will begin Patriot League play this Saturday, Mar. 29, with a doubleheader against Army beginning at noon.