Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
La Salle
Baseball Falls to La Salle in Final Non-League Game of Regular Season
4/26/2016 7:17:00 PM | Baseball
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Danny Rafferty hit his third home run in the last two games and Joe Ogren had a three-run triple, but La Salle broke a 5-5 tie with two runs in the top of the sixth to defeat Bucknell 7-5 Tuesday afternoon at Depew Field. After 12 runs were scored in the first six innings, the teams combined for just three baserunners in the final three innings.
The game was a back-and-forth affair as Rafferty's two-run shot in the bottom of the first gave Bucknell (16-29) a 2-1 lead. Ogren's three-run triple in the fourth put the Bison back up on top 5-4 after La Salle plated three runs in the third.
The Explorers then tied the game on a bases-loaded single to left by Brett Simon in the fifth. A sac fly by Joey Ravert in the sixth gave La Salle (12-30) the lead for good, while Drew Jarmuz followed with an RBI single to score an insurance run. Jarmuz finished the game 4-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Simon and Kevin McGowan added two hits apiece for the Explorers.
Brett Smith extended his hitting streak to 22 games with an infield single in the ninth for Bucknell. Ogren added a double in the first inning as he finished 2-for-5 to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. He now has a team-high 33 RBIs this season.
Both teams used five pitchers in the contest with 19 hits allowed and 12 total walks. All but two hits and one walk came in the first six innings. Hunter Robichaux pitched a scoreless final three innings for Bucknell, while Michael Flax, Jorge Jimenez and Tom Fazzini allowed only Smith's single over the final 4.2 innings, retiring 14 of the 15 batters they faced. Flax (1-0) earned the win as he struck out two in his 2.2 innings of work.
Max Kra (1-2) had the loss for the Bison. He allowed three hits and two runs in 1.2 innings before giving way to Robichaux. Austin Zimmerman started, while Jack Schoenberger and P.J. Strahm also saw time on the mound for Bucknell.
The Bison will wrap up the regular season this weekend with a four-game home series against Navy. Doubleheaders will take place at noon at Depew Field on both Saturday and Sunday.
