Bonilla Breaks Program Triples Record As Baseball Suffers Doubleheader Sweep to NJCU

Written by Joshua Soto (SJC-LI Sports Information)

Patchogue, NY| Anthony Bonilla broke the program record career triples but it wasn't enough as the St. Joseph's College (L.I.) baseball team was swept for the first time this season,8-3 and 6-3, to New Jersey City University in a non-conference doubleheader at Gregg Alfano Field on Wednesday night. The Golden Eagles now sit at 21-12 on the season as the Gothic Knights improve to 15-16.

Game 1: NJCU 8, SJC 3

NJCU took the lead in the second inning courtesy of a sac fly to go up 1-0. 

The Gothic Knights went on to score six runs in the third inning, a run that was driven by an error, a groundout by Zach Buchholz, a single by Jeff Reinecke, and a three-run home run by Bill Feehan (6-0).

NJCU added another tally in the fourth with a sac fly to right field to give the Gothic Knights a 7-0 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth Tyler Sanderson scored Dylan Piscitelli with a RBI single to shortstop to close the deficit to six (7-1).

With runners on first and second in the bottom of the fifth, Paul Britt tripled to right center to score Matthew Burnett and Bonilla to inch back into the game (8-3).

The two sides where held scoreless the following two innings as NJCU bested the Golden Eagles 8-3.

Nate Facey earned the win for the Gothic Knights, and he pitched four innings, gave up three runs, seven hits, and struck out three. Corey Nase recorded the last nine outs to earn the save for NJCU.

Game 2: NJCU 6, SJC 3

NJCU took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning when Dan Berardi belted a two-run homer, and the Gothic Knights added a third run in the second after an SJC error.

With two outs and runners on first and second, in the fourth, Feehan singled up the middle to bring Reinecke across the plate for NJCU's fourth run.

SJC answered in the bottom of the fourth when Lou Doria singled home Britt after the catcher doubled to start off the inning.

In the bottom of the sixth Doria brought the game back to within one when his two-run homer made it a 4-3 game. However, the Gothic Knights added two more insurance runs in the top of the seventh to earn the 6-3 win and the doubleheader sweep.

Anthony Zicaro earned the win for the Gothic Knights tossing six innings, surrendering three runs and eight hits and striking out four batters. Kyle Kafer recorded the last three outs to earn the save.

SJC had nine hits in the game with Britt and Bonilla each collecting three hits to lead Golden Eagles. Bonilla tripled in the bottom of the seventh–his 10th career triple–to break the program record for most career triples.

The Golden Eagles will take the field again tomorrow, Thursday April 27 at 5:00 PM when they host Baruch College. Live stats will be available here.