Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Virginia Tech
Bucknell Baseball Falls to Virginia Tech, 10-7
2/28/2009 7:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 28, 2009
BLACKSBURG, Va. - B.J. LaRosa (Jacksonville, Fla./Episcopal) was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and Bret Sokirka (Wyoming, Pa./Wyoming Area) had a two-run double and a bases-loaded walk as the Bucknell baseball team scored a season-high seven runs Saturday to wrap up a three-game series at Virginia Tech. However, the Hokies plated four runs in the seventh and three more in the eighth to overcome a 7-3 deficit and complete a three-game sweep of the Bison with a 10-7 win.
The game featured 22 combined hits (10 for Bucknell) and seven errors (three for Bucknell). Just nine of the 17 runs scored in the contest were earned.
The Bison (0-7) led 5-0 early thanks to single runs in the second and third innings and three more in the fourth. La Rosa's RBI single in the third scored Andrew Brouse, while a two-out RBI single by Doug Shribman (Marblehead, Mass./Belmont Hill) in the fourth plated Ben Allen (Port Royal, Pa./Juniata), who extended his hitting streak to six games with a 1-for-5 showing.
Thanks to a pair of errors by the Hokie defense, Bucknell tacked on three more runs in the fourth. The big blow was a two-run double by Sokirka. The first four hitters in the inning reach base via a hit or an error.
Bucknell starter Eric Jarrett (Jersey Shore, Pa./Jersey Shore), who was making his first appearance of the season, was very effective early, allowing just three baserunners over the first four frames. Virginia Tech (8-1) touched him for two singles and a walk in the fifth, while an error helped lead to a pair of unearned runs. Overall, the Hokies plated three runs in the inning, cutting the Bison lead to 5-3.
Facing reliever Clark Labitan (2-1) in the seventh, Bucknell scored a pair of unearned runs thanks to two singles, two walks and an error. Sokirka tallied his third RBI of the day with a two-out bases loaded walk, while LaRosa had an RBI single earlier in the inning.
Jarrett struck out Ronnie Shaban to open the bottom of the seventh, but then the Virginia Tech offense got in gear as three of the next four hitters singled to knock Jarrett from the game. The big blow was a two-run single by Ty Hohman.
Russell Seidell (0-1) (Granville, Ohio/Granville) relieved Jarrett and retired two of the three hitters he faced to close out the seventh with the score tied at 7-7.
Bucknell managed just a single by Brouse in the eighth.
A two-out two-run double by Klint Reed, who was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and a pair of RBIs, gave Virginia Tech a 9-7 lead in the eighth. The Hokies tacked on one more unearned run for the final margin of victory as the Bison had just one hitter reach base (via a hit by pitch) in the top of the ninth.
Sean McDermott started for Virginia Tech and gave up seven hits, five runs, two earned runs, two walks and struck out five in his 6.0 innings of work. Jarrett totaled six strikeouts in his 6.1 innings.
Seven of Bucknell's nine starters recorded at least one hit.
The Bison will wrap up their second consecutive four-game weekend with a single game at VMI on Sunday. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.
