Baseball Holds Off John Jay in Non-Conference Action

Written by Andrew Capitelli (SJC-LI Sports Information)

Patchogue, NY| Junior Anthony Bonilla went 3-5 and collected a career-best four RBI's in the St. Joseph's College (L.I.) baseball team's 7-5 victory over John Jay at Gregg Alfano Field on Wednesday afternoon. The Golden Eagles improve to 3-2 on the year with the win as the Bloodhounds fall to 1-8.

After two scoreless innings, John Jay pulled ahead in the third when Esteban Soler scored Brandon Thomas via a fielder's choice, but SJC responded immediately with two runs in the bottom of the third. After James Terry's sacrifice fly scored Mike Griffo, Bonilla's single up the middle sent Ryan Walsh home to put the Golden Eagles ahead 3-2.

Following consecutive outs, Dylan Laudano's homer knotted the game up at two in the top of the fourth, but the tie was short lived as Bonilla again scored Walsh in the bottom of the fifth with another single to center. Two batters later, Brendan Sullivan reached first on a fielder's choice and scored James Nakashian in the process to double up the guests (4-2) at the conclusion of the inning.

In the bottom of the sixth, Walsh used a sac fly to advance Griffo home before Bonilla knocked in two more runs with a double down the left field line to extend the Golden Eagles' lead to five runs (7-2).

An RBI single from Jason Gonzalez in the top of the seventh set up a two-run eighth for the Bloodhounds, who appeared set for a late-game comeback, but Michael Catanzaro shut the door in the ninth to earn his first save of the season and clinch the 7-5 win for St. Joseph's.

In his first start with the Golden Eagles, Brandon Lubrano struck out five batters and allowed two runs in six innings to pick up the win. Matt Hess, Nick Clemente and Catanzao all threw an inning each in relief.

John Jay's Jonathan Warasila struck out one and allowed seven runs on 10 hits in a losing effort.

In addition to Bonilla's strong offensive outing, Griffo went 2-4 with two runs, and Walsh went 1-1 with two runs, an RBI and two walks.

The Golden Eagles return to action on Friday, March 11 when they open Skyline Conference action with a home doubleheader vs. Yeshiva beginning at 9:30 AM. Live stats will be available here.