Temple University Athletics
BONNIES STUN TEMPLE WITH LATE COMEBACK, WIN SERIES WITH 6-5 VICTORY
5.14.06 | Baseball
AMBLER, PA -- St. Bonaventure took advantage of a pair of Temple errors to score two runs in its final at-bat and finish off a late comeback with a 6-5 win on Sunday at Ambler Field. The Bonnies, who trailed 5-3 heading into the eighth inning, scored three times over their final two at-bats to complete the series victory. Sophomore Tom Dolan was effective over seven innings, allowing just three hits, but received the no-decision.
Temple was looking to win its third straight A-10 series for the first time since 2001 and was in control heading into the eighth ahead, 5-3. The Bonnies scored a run in the frame on a Matt Marduesz fielder's choice to cut the deficit to 5-4.
SBU's (24-18, 16-7 A-10) Kieran Malone led off the ninth with a double to left-center and was replaced by pinch-runner Kevin Suminski at second base. Foulkrod recorded a strikeout for the first out of the inning to bring up lead-off batter Randy Moley to the plate. St. Bonaventure head coach Larry Sudbook then gambled, giving Siminski the steal sign at second. The gamble paid off as the freshman stole third and scored the tying run when the throw sailed into left-field. Moley reached on a throwing error, moved to third on a single by Josh Perkins and scored the game-winner on a sacrifice fly by Joe Rizzo.
The Cherry and White took advantage of four walks, including three to open the inning, to score all five runs in the fourth. Freshman Jamie Abercrombie, sophomore Devon Swope and junior Dan Brady all walked to load the bases and chase SBU starter Eddie Williams. Freshman Lenny DelGrippo then launched a sacrifice fly to plate Abercrombie, and freshman Steve Mury walked to again load the bases.
An infield single by freshman Pat Riley scored Swope and freshman Mike Sweet reached on a fielder's choice to plate Brady. Freshmen Carmen Del Mastro and Casey Sellen followed with back-to-back two-out singles to give TU a 5-3 lead after four innings.
That was all the offense could muster, however. Reliever Matt Agostinelli (3-0), who played third base the entire series, silenced the Temple bats over the final five innings. He picked up the win after scattering two hits and striking out five batters.
Foulkrod (1-8) suffered the loss, allowing two runs (one earned) in two innings of relief.
Riley and Del Mastro each had a pair of singles for Temple.
The Owls (12-38, 6-16) wrap up the non-conference portion of the schedule on Tuesday when they host Seton Hall at 3:30 p.m. at Ambler Field.
