Clark Rallies Past Golden Eagles, 3-2, 6-1

Auburndale, FL| The St. Joseph's College baseball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader to Clark University at the RussMatt Invitational Wednesday afternoon. The Golden Eagles (1-3) suffered a 3-2 extra-inning loss in game one before falling to the Cougars (5-2) 6-1 in game two.

Game One

Tied at two heading into extra innings, Clark University's Teddy Downing singled in Kyle Bonicki to take the 3-2 win in walk-off fashion.

A pair of two-out RBI singles in the top of the first has the Golden Eagles leading early. Senior Matt Burnett singled through the right side and advanced to second on a wild pitch before junior Paul Britt knocked him in with a single through the left side. A batter later, senior Dylan Piscitelli belted a base hit to left bringing Britt home for a 2-0 lead.

The Cougars responded quickly with a couple runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning.  An RBI double from Bonicki and a fielder's choice off the bat of Zach Kelley evened the score after one inning of play.

The only real threat in the middle innings came in the bottom of the sixth when a double and a groundout put a runner on third with one out for Clark.  Junior Austin Turner gave way to Justin Fitzpatrick who sat Andrew Thribault down looking before getting Steven Mooney to line out ending the inning.

The Golden Eagles went down in order in the top of the eighth before Bonicki worked a leadoff walk to start the bottom half for the Cougars. Following an SJC pitching change, Bonicki stole second and came in on Downing's base hit up the middle for the winning run.

SJC's Britt finished 2 for 3 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored. Burnett, Tyler Crafa, and Anthony Raucci were credited with a hit apiece.

Downing and Kyle Shaw led the Cougars with two hits apiece. Starter Connor Walsh picked up the win allowing two runs on two hits with four strikeouts in seven innings of work.

The Golden Eagles sent seven pitchers to the mound with Anthony Caminiti getting the start allowing two runs on two hits with three strikeouts in four innings. Senior Nick Clemente gets credited with the loss allowing one run in two-thirds of an inning.

Game Two

The Golden Eagles struck early again in game two, this time with a run in the bottom of the second. Michael Ferrufino sent a double to the right-center gap and a Cougar fielding error allowed Burnett to reach with one out. A hit to center by Jesse Nakashian loaded the bases for Vincent Biordi who singled home Ferrufino for SJC's lone run of the game.

After three scoreless innings, the Cougars tied the game with a run on a sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth. Clark sent 10 batters to the plate in the seventh producing five runs for the 6-1 win.

Nakashian led the Golden Eagles with a 2 for 3 performance.

Boinicki and Nick Jordan were responsible for four of the Cougars six hits.

CU's Patrick Robison earned the win allowing one run on five hits with six Ks. SJC's Thomas Crispyn was credited with the loss coming out of the bullpen allowing three runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning.

The Golden Eagles continue play at the RussMatt Invitational tomorrow, March 8 when they face Loras College at 2:30 pm.