Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Holy Cross
Bucknell Baseball Team Improves to 8-0 In Patriot League With Sweep at Holy Cross
4/9/2001 8:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 9, 2001
Worcester, Ma. - The Bucknell baseball team scored 25 runs on 26 hits and improved to a perfect 8-0 in Patriot League play with a doubleheader sweep at Holy Cross on Monday afternoon. The Bison (19-10) won the opener at Fitton Field, 13-2, and scored eight runs in the top of the 10th inning to win the nightcap, 12-5.
The Orange and Blue took advantage of five hits and a pair of Crusader (10-13, 2-6) errors in the 10th inning to plate eight runs and come-from-behind in the nightcap. After a hit batsman, a single, and an error by Holy Cross pitcher Dan Powers loaded the bases, Bison senior co-captain Brad Gething (Pittsburgh, Pa./Plum) began the damage by singling through the left side of the infield to score two runs and give Bucknell a 6-4 lead. Chris Herron (Vienna, Va./Bishop O'Connell) stepped in and reached on a fielders choice and advanced to second on another error by Powers. Bucknell scored a run on the play and increased its lead to three. Freshman Ben Stoll (Swampscott, Mass./Swampscott), playing in his home state, then smashed a double to left to score both Herron and Gething and the Bison led 9-4.
After a fly out and a ground out, senior John DiBonaventura (Breinigsville, Pa./Parkland) rekindled the rally with an RBI single through the left side. Senior first baseman Russ Lindberg (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/St. Peter Chanel) struck the final blow with a two-run home run - his seventh of the season.
Freshman right-hander Kevin Miller (Rochester, N.Y./Greece Olympia), who came on in relief of starter R.J. Grant (Ardsley, N.Y./Ardsley) in the fifth inning, worked six strong innings to improve to 2-0 on the season. Miller allowed just one run on three hits, struck out six and did not issue a walk.
Holy Cross jumped out to a 3-1 lead with three runs off Grant in the bottom of the first. A single, double, RBI-groundout and two more base hits provided the offense for the Crusaders. Bucknell clawed closer with an unearned run in the second. Holy Cross got the first two outs, but a walk to Herron and a dropped fly ball by second baseman Peter Summa put runners on the corners. Bucknell pulled off the double steal during the next at bat, and closed to 3-2.
However, Holy Cross added to its lead with run in its half of the second. After a leadoff walk and a groundout to second that advanced the runner, Ed Turner singled to give the Crusaders a 4-2 lead.
The Orange and Blue tied the game at 4-4 in the fifth, once again taking advantage of a Holy Cross miscue - one of seven it had in the game. Junior Eric Fishman (Springfield, N.J./Jonathan Dayton) singled and stole second, and then moved to third when the catchers throw sailed into the outfield. After a fly out to right, he scored on an RBI groundout by Lindberg.
Fishman and Gething each had a pair of hits to lead the Bison offense, while Lindberg went 1-for-3 with four RBIs. Dale Johnson led the Holy Cross attack with a 4-for-5, two-RBI performance.
In the opener, Bucknell pounded out 17 hits and led 7-0 after three innings. Starter Zach Allen (Port Royal, Pa./Juniata) was in control from the get-go on the mound. He held Holy Cross scoreless before tiring in the sixth and allowing a pair of runs on his way to his third straight win. Allen scattered seven hits, struck out four and did not issue a walk.
The Bison scored all the runs they would need when they plated four in the second inning off Holy Cross starter Ryan Kenny. Lindberg led off with a single, and moved to second on a bunt single by Mike Ritz (Old Tappan, N.J./Northern Valley Regional). Senior Kevin Eiben (Delta, British Columbia/Vancouver College) followed with a single to load the bases, setting the table for classmate Jeff Peck (Moon Township, Pa./Moon). Peck doubled to left center, scoring Lindberg and Ritz for a 2-0 lead. Herron grounded out to second, scoring Eiben, and then junior Larry Scheetz (Newtown, Pa./Holy Ghost Prep) singled to right center to plate Peck for a 4-0 cushion.
Bucknell padded its lead with three in the third, and then added single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. The Bison, who came through with a season-high 17 hits in the game, put the finishing touches on the win with three more runs in the top of the seventh.
Ritz went 4-for-4 with a home run and a pair of RBIs, while Eiben finished 4-for-5 with a double and a pair of RBIs. Lindberg was the only other Bison to finish with multiple hits, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Summa and Matt McEvoy each had two hits for the Crusaders.
Bucknell will be back on the road tomorrow, traveling to Olean, New York, for a doubleheader at St. Bonaventure. First pitch against the Bonnies is at 2:00 p.m.
