By Mikael DeSanto
Sports Editor
The St. Bonaventure University baseball team dropped its season opener Friday afternoon, losing 12-7 to the Eastern Michigan Eagles in their first game in this year’s Snowbird Classic.
The Bonnies (0-1) were out hit by the Eagles (2-4) 16-12 over the course of the game, while also leaving 14 runners on base.
The Eagles tacked on the runs quickly to open the game, out-scoring the Bonnies 11-2 over the first four innings of the game. This barrage of runs included a six-run first inning, during which the Eagles loaded the bases.
One run scored when redshirt senior centerfielder Jordan Peterson was hit by a pitch, followed by another on a single from redshirt senior shortstop Marquis Gill and then a two-run double from freshman first baseman Zachary Owings, accounting for four of the six runs.
Senior left fielder John Montgomery struck another blow to the Bonnies in the second inning, when he smacked a two-run home run.
After trailing 12-3 heading into the ninth inning, and therefore their final at bats, the Bonnies were able to string together some offense to try and make a comeback.
Junior third baseman David “Bubba” Hollins opened the inning by getting on first thanks to an errant throw by the shortstop, followed by another error which put sophomore Sam Fuller, who had pinch hit for junior left fielder Ryan MacCarrick, on second and Hollins on third.
Junior right fielder David Vaccaro then unloaded the bases with a three-run home run, putting the Bonnies down six runs with no outs.
Though junior shortstop Cole Peterson was able to single home an additional run later in the inning, one of Peterson’s three hits on the day, the Bonnies comeback would fall short and the Eagles would lock up the win.
Junior Brandon Schlimm got the start for the Bonnies, going five innings and giving up 11 runs on 12 hits and three walks with one strikeout.
Brent Mattson, a junior for the Eagles, started on the mound, surrendering two runs on four hits and six walks with three strikeouts over five innings.
The Bonnies return to the field Saturday at 2:30 p.m. when they take on Dartmouth as a part of the Snowbird Classic.
desantmj13@bonaventure.edu
