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Baseball
Baseball opens 2008 campaign with 8-7 win over Long Island
Feb. 23, 2008 GIBSONIA, N.C. - Behind timely hitting and a solid relief work from senior Cody Vincent, the St. Bonaventure baseball team opened the 2008 season with a dramatic 8-7 win over Northeast Conference affiliate Long Island on Saturday afternoon. Vincent entered the game in the bottom of the fifth after the Blackbirds had erased a 7-1 Bonaventure lead with a six-run inning. The Warren, Pa. product hurled a scoreless three and one-third innings to close the game, setting the stage for the Bona bats. With the score tied 7-7, freshman Brad Steinbach opened the bottom half of the eight with his third hit of the afternoon, a triple into right center. With the go-ahead run on third, senior T.J. Pennino's squeeze bunt attempt failed as Long Island used a pitch-out to catch Steinbach between third and home. After a small rundown, the freshman found his way across the plate for the eventual game-winning run as the Blackbird catcher's throw sailed over the third baseman's head into left field. Vincent shut the door on Long Island in the top of the ninth to come away with his 18th career win. The program's all-time leader in innings pitched, Vincent allowed just two hits over his three innings of work. Playing in his first collegiate game, Steinbach belted a pair of triples for the No. 9 spot in the lineup to highlight his three-hit game. Senior centerfielder Randy Moley went 2-for-3 with 3 RBI, while freshman Cael Johnson also finished 2-for-3 at the dish with an RBI. Freshman Jesse Bosnik reached base twice on a double and walk and came around to score both times. Bosnik scored the first run of the game for the Brown and White after walking to open the third. Moley drove-in the freshman shortstop with an RBI-single to make it 1-1. One batter later, sophomore Kyle Gorby gave St. Bonaventure the lead with a sacrifice fly to bring home Pennino. Johnson capped the third inning with his first collegiate hit, an RBI-single up the middle, scoring Moley for a 3-1 lead.
The Bonnies added to their lead in the fourth, plating four runs for a commanding 7-1 edge. After catcher B.J. Salerno drew a leadoff walk, Steinbach brought the junior home with a triple to right center for the Brown and Whites' fourth run of the game. One batter later, Bosnik laced an RBI-double scoring Steinbach easily from third to make it 5-1. Moley delivered the final two runs of the inning with one swing of the bat as his single up the middle scored Bosnik from their and Pennino from second. Junior J.B. Britton got the nod on the mound, lasting four and one-third innings before being relieved during Long Island's seven-run fifth inning. Britton allowed five runs, just three earned, and struck out two. St. Bonaventure will now turnaround and play Big 4 rival Canisius in the nightcap. The Golden Griffs also defeated Long Island earlier in the day. |
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