By Pat Tintle
Sports Editor
The baseball team continued its strong early-season success in dramatic fashion Tuesday, as the Bonnies beat Niagara 8-7 on a walk-off sacrifice fly. The Bonnies continued the doubleheader as the team tied the Purple Eagles 1-1 in an eight-inning game that was cut short due to expiring daylight.
The eventual walk-off win began in the bottom of the 10th inning as freshman shortstop Cole Peterson stepped in the box in a bases-loaded situation. Peterson flied out to centerfield, but his effort was deep enough to allow freshman outfielder Alex Schultz to score the game-winning run.
Leading the Bonnies’ offense in game one was third baseman Thad Johnson. The junior went five for six, recording a double and two runs batted in against the six pitchers Niagara sent to the mound.
Johnson stated that the Purple Eagles’ lack of power pitching played well with his hitting abilities.
“Their pitchers were mostly off-speed pitchers and used breaking balls and change ups to get ahead,” Johnson said. “The only power pitcher we faced was their closer who threw hard, but struggled to locate. At this level, you face a lot of different pitchers because most teams have a deep bullpen and have power pitchers and off-speed pitchers.”
The Bonnies now post a 10-2-1 record. Despite the win, that “1” hurts from a competitive standpoint, according to Johnson.
“To tie a game is very frustrating,” Johnson said, “especially because I felt like we had some opportunities to win the game. I know seeing that tie on our record is going to bother me, but we’re just looking forward to conference play because that’s what really matters.”
Johnson, who is now batting a team-leading .448 with 12 RBIs, also closed the game for the Bonnies, pitching two perfect innings as he picked up his first win of the season.
Familiar with being on the mound, Johnson particularly likes switching positions mid-game.
“I really enjoy pitching,” Johnson said. “I was excited last year when Coach Sudbrook let me pitch again because I’ve pitched my whole life, and being able to continue to play the field and pitch at this level is a lot of fun. The closing aspect, I love coming in at the end of games to try to shut the door for my team.”
Coach Larry Sudbrook said Johnson’s versatility on the field is a crucial reason why the Bonnies are off to a winning start in 2015.
“Thad is just a very good all-around baseball player,” Sudbrook said. “He’s got a little power, he can run a little bit, defensively—wherever you put him—he’s good. We’ve won ten games and he’s saved four of them. He’s a pretty good baseball player at all phases and, he’s probably our best all-around baseball player. He’s definitely someone who can help lead us.”
Out of the 13 schools which compete in Atlantic 10 baseball, the Bonnies rank 12th in terms of scholarships. That statistic adds to the value of Johnson’s multiple talents, according to Sudbrook.
“For us to get a kid who can do both—that can be a closer for you and be a very good hitter—that’s a real bonus,” Sudbrook said.
Although technically the Bonnies’ winning streak is over, the team will look to continue their winning ways today as they travel to Arlington, Virginia, to open A-10 play against George Washington (10-7, 0-1).
The Bonnies will play today at 3 p.m., tomorrow at 1 p.m. and will finish off the three-game series Sunday at noon against the Colonials.
