By Mikael DeSanto
Sports Editor
The St. Bonaventure University baseball team split its final two games against Dartmouth of the Snowbird Classic in Port Charlotte, Florida, winning 8-7 on Saturday and falling 13-1 on Sunday.
In game one, the Bonnies (1-2) and Big Green (2-1) nearly matched each other in hits, with the Bonnies getting the slight edge 14-13. The Big Green also struggled with leaving men on base, stranding 10 over the course of the game.
The Bonnies struck quickly to open to game, plating three runs on a double by junior third baseman David “Bubba” Hollins, a single from junior right fielder Dave Vaccaro and a sacrifice groundout by senior catcher Tommy LaCongo.
After the Bonnies added another run in the second, the Big Green plated four runs over the second and third innings, tying the game.
The pitchers then dueled over the next couple innings before the Bonnies broke through again with a pair of runs to reclaim the lead in the top of the sixth inning. The Big Green was able to bring home a run in the bottom half of the sixth, but the Bonnies responded when junior pitcher Aaron Phillips helped his own cause with a RBI single in the seventh.
Down 8-5 heading into the bottom of the ninth, the Big Green mounted a comeback, sparked by a triple by senior Michael Ketchmark, who scored on a groundout by junior catcher Kyle Holbrook, and an RBI double from freshman pinch hitter Michael Calamari.
But the comeback fell short and the Bonnies secured the victory.
Phillips started for the Bonnies, throwing five-and-one-third innings and giving up five runs on eight hits, five walks with four strikeouts.
Sophomore Cole O’Connor tossed five innings for the Big Green, surrendering four runs (two earned) on seven hits and one walk with two strikeouts.
In game two, the Bonnies lacked the offense from the first game, being held to four hits while the Big Green picked up 18 for the game.
The Big Green scored 10 runs over the first six-and-a-half innings of the game, while holding the Bonnies scoreless. The run barrage included a three-run fourth inning, with the Big Green getting runs from freshman third baseman Blake Crossing (single), sophomore left fielder Matt Feinstein (double) and junior second baseman Danny Shirley (single).
The Bonnies were finally able to score in the seventh when senior designated hitter T.J. Baker flew out to centerfield, allowing Hollins to score.
But the Big Green would add three runs in the top of the ninth, extending the lead and securing the win, as the Bonnies went down in order in the bottom half.
Freshmen Casey Vincent got the start for the Bonnies, going four innings and letting up five runs on seven hits and three walks with three strikeouts.
Senior Michael Danielak manned the mound to start for the Big Green, giving five scoreless innings of two hits, one walk and six strikeouts.
The Bonnies will travel to Delray Beach, Florida, for the Delray Invitational over spring break. They will open by facing Maine on March 4 at 1 p.m.
desantmj13@bonaventure.edu
