Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
VMI
Bucknell Baseball Comes Up Just Short Against VMI, 6-5
3/4/2011 7:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 4, 2011
LEXINGTON, Va. - Bucknell scored a pair of unearned runs in the top of the ninth inning to cut a three-run deficit to one run, but the Bison left the tying run on base as their two-game winning streak came to an end with a 6-5 loss to VMI in the opener of a four-game weekend series Friday at Gray-Minor Stadium. Patriot League Rookie of the Week Colby Vanderbeck collected three of Bucknell's eight hits in the contest and he is now 6-for-9 over his last two games.
VMI (5-5-1) overcame four errors and three unearned Bison runs to even its record at .500. The Bison fell to 2-6 on the young season. Bucknell has now played four consecutive games that have been decided by two runs or less.
Bison reliever Alex Cillo had a strong outing as he pitched the final three innings without allowing a hit or a run. He struck out two and retired the Keydets in order in two of the three innings he was on the mound.
VMI scored three runs in the first inning, but the Bison tied the score after single runs in the second, third and fourth frames. The Keydets answered in the bottom of the fourth when George Piccirilli hit a two-out, three-run home run, which proved to be the difference in the game.
Bucknell initially got on the board when David Duffett led off the second inning with his first home run of the season. He later recorded an RBI single in the ninth inning as he was one of three Bison with at least two hits, joining Vanderbeck and Gerry Runyan, who was 2-for-5 with a run scored.
A two-out RBI single by Vanderbeck in the third brought Bucknell to within one run, and an error by the left fielder on a two-out Doug Shribman hit scored Robb Scott with the tying run in the fourth.
A leadoff single by Runyan got the ninth-inning rally started. Shribman followed with a walk, bringing cleanup hitter Scott Reed to the plate representing the tying run. Then things got interesting as Runyan moved up on a pair of wild pitches and later scored on a throwing error by the catcher. Duffett's single made it 6-5 following Reed's lineout to right, but VMI reliever Michael Devine retired the final two hitters to strand Duffett on first.
Trey Frahler (0-3) started on the mound for the Bison and pitched five innings, allowed eight hits and six runs while striking out three and walking three. He retired eight of the 11 hitters he faced in the second, third and fifth innings, but yielded all six runs and six hits in the first and fourth innings.
The Keydets used five different pitchers in the contest. Starter Adam Lopez faced only six hitters. The VMI staff issued six walks, but struck out 13.
With its two runs in the ninth inning on Friday, Bucknell has now outscored its opposition 9-0 in the final frame.
Bob Donato entered the game having hit a home run in four straight contests. He was held without a home run, but did draw a pair of walks from his leadoff spot in the batting order.
The Bison and Keydets will square off in a doubleheader Saturday. Originally scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., the twinbill has been moved up to noon due to rain in the forecast.
