Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Holy Cross
Bucknell Baseball Ends Regular Season With Two Wins Over Holy Cross
5/1/2005 8:00:00 AM | Baseball
May. 1, 2005
WORCESTER, Mass. - Freshman Jason Buursma blasted a grand slam in Bucknell's 14-3 win over Holy Cross, Sunday in Worcester, Mass. The Bison took a pair of games from the Crusaders, winning game one 3-1, and lighting up the Crusader pitching for 17 hits in game two. The Bison end the regular season at 16-25 overall, and improve to .500 in the PL with a 10-10 record.
The Bison scored three runs in the top of the fourth inning in game one, securing the win as Holy Cross was only able to manage a single run in the game. Matt Capece led off the inning with a single through the right side followed by a Kyle Walter single to center.
Capece would score on an error by Crusader hurler Rob Oteri, and Walter would add another run, scoring on a single by Jason Buursma. Buursma would score the third run of the inning, coming around from second on a single by Ryan Gryskevicz.
Nathan Mittag earned his second win of the season, giving up seven hits and one run in 6.1 innings of work. Buursma got his first save of the season, shutting down the two Holy Cross batters he faced. Oteri took the loss for the Crusaders, falling to 1-5 on the year.
The Bison put away the Crusaders early in game two, scoring seven runs in the top of the second inning. Chris Brannan led off the rally with a single to center field, and moved to third thanks to a double by Brian Day. Austin Turban and Phil Bunting were both hit by a pitch to force Brannan home.
Day would score the second run of the inning on a sacrifice fly by Evan Weiss while Turban would score on a single by Brad Duvall. Walter became the third hit batter of the inning, loading the bases for Buursma, who belted a grand slam to centerfield. The homerun was the second in as many days for the freshman, who is now tied with Walter for the team lead in round-trips with five apiece.
Bucknell peppered the Crusader staff for 17 hits in game two. Senior Greg Ekimoff blasted his first collegiate homerun in the game with a solo shot in the eighth. Capece was tough at the plate, with a 4-for-6 showing. Duvall added three hits, while Walter, Brannan, and Weiss added two hits each.
Gryskevicz got the win in game two, improving to 3-1 on the season. In his first complete game this spring, Gryskevicz allowed 10 hits in nine innings of work while fanning four batters. Crusader Tim Thran ended up with the loss as the Crusaders, now 13-22, 5-11 PL, were forced to use five pitchers to control the Bison bats.
The Bison will now await their Patriot League fate, with several series yet to finish up on the Patriot League slate. Bucknell looks to be safely in third place in the PL, with Army and Lehigh already claiming two of the three PL tournament slots.
