Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Holy Cross
Bison Baseball Drops a Pair of Heartbreakers at Holy Cross
4/30/2005 8:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 30, 2005
WORCESTER, Mass. - In its final Patriot League series of the season, the Bison baseball team dropped a pair of one-run heartbreakers to Holy Cross, falling to the Crusaders 1-0 in game one and 7-6 in 10 innings in game two, Saturday at Tivnan Field in Worcester, Mass. The Bison, who were in third place in the PL going into the weekend, fall to 14-25 overall, 8-10 in the Patriot League and now find themselves in a struggle for one of the coveted three spots in the upcoming Patriot League tournament.
Crusader sophomore Andrew Tenaglia single handedly downed the Bison in game one, blasting a solo shot to center field in the fourth inning for the game's lone run. Tenaglia had a good day for the Crusaders, going 4-for-8 in the two games, including two of the Crusaders' six hits in game one.
Bucknell threaten early as Evan Weiss attempted to score from second on a single to center by Kyle Walter, but was gunned down by Crusader centerfielder Tom Potvin in the top of the first inning.
The Bison managed only three hits off Crusader hurler Mike Miller, who improved to 4-3 on the season. Walter, Jason Buursma, and Brad Duvall were the only Bison to hit safely during the game, all reaching base with singles.
Matt Curry took the loss for the Bison to fall to 4-5 on the season. Curry gave up six hits in seven innings and struck out four. It was Curry's first loss in his last three Patriot League starts. The sophomore still leads the team against PL opponents with a 3-2 record.
Bucknell finally scored its first run of the series in the top of the fourth in game two, taking the early 1-0 lead as Buursma launched a solo blast over the right field fence, his fourth homerun of the season and third against PL opponents. The Bison went up 2-0 in the sixth as Matt Capece singled, advanced to second on an error, stole third and scored on a balk by Crusader pitcher C.J. Hillyer.
The Crusaders stormed back with a four-run rally in the bottom of the sixth, taking advantage of two Bison errors. The Bison inched their way back into the game scoring a run in each of the next four innings. Buursma would make the score 4-3 in the top of the seventh, scoring on a sacrifice fly by Matt Belmont.
The Crusaders would react with another run of their own in the inning, widening their lead to 5-3. Capece led off the top of the eight with a single to right and would advance to third after a balk followed by a wild pitch. The junior would score on a ground out by teammate Brian Day, bringing the deficit back to one run at 5-4. The Bison scored another run in the top of the ninth, to force the game to extra innings as Ryan Gryskevicz scored on a wild pitch after reaching base with a single.
Bucknell took the lead in the top of the 10th as Walter led off the extra frame with a double to center. Day followed, reaching base on an error by the pitcher that also scored Walter. Walter, along with Capece, led the Bison in hitting in game two, both slapping a pair of base hits.
The Crusaders claimed the contest in the bottom of the inning as Mike Schell reach base on a dropped third strike and an error by the catcher. Holy Cross then loaded the bases with singles by Tenaglia and Kyle Lister. Brendan Akashian became the hero of game two, slamming a two-RBI single to left to win the game 7-6.
Ian Rainey fell to 1-2 on the season in the loss, giving up three hits and two runs in 0.2 innings. Tim Peacock and Buursma also pitched in the game with Peacock giving up four hits and four runs, three of which were unearned. Buursma gave up two hits and one unearned run in four innings of work. Crusader Jason Lynch got the win in game two.
Holy Cross improves to 13-20, 5-9 in league play. The teams will square off in another doubleheader tomorrow afternoon with the first pitch set for 12 p.m.
