Temple University Athletics
Temple Moves On In A-10 Tourney With 5-2 Win Over SBU
5.21.08 | Baseball
May 21, 2008
CAMDEN, NJ - Senior Stan Orzechowski collected two hits and knocked in a pair of runs and senior Mike Mongiardini delivered a superb pitching performance as Temple downed St. Bonaventure in an elimination game on Wednesday evening, 5-2, to complete day one of the 2008 Atlantic 10 Baseball Championship at Campbell's Field.
The Owls (27-28) will face Charlotte, Duquesne or Rhode Island on Thursday evening at 7:00pm. The 27 wins for the Cherry and White are the most for the program since the 1999 squad won 28.
Mongiardini allowed three hits and struck out five in 7.2 innings. The senior lefthander yielded just an infield single over the first seven innings and walked six during his 132-pitch performance.
"Everyone was real loose in the dugout before the game and we came out and played hard," said Mongiardini, who improved to 3-2 on the year.
"Early on it seemed like I was walking the ballpark but I started settling in and getting ahead with the fastball and was able to work in my breaking pitches a little. It's the A-10 Tournament so you can't feel tired."
The Owls jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first as Orzechowski opened the game with a single off St. Bonaventure starter Michael Proctor (6-4) and came around to score on a RBI single to left by first baseman Steve Nikorak. The Owls then exploded for four runs in the fifth on four hits, highlighted by Orzechowski's two-run single that plated leftfielder Jamie Abercrombie and junior Carmen Del Mastro.
The Bonnies got on the board in the eighth as designated hitter Anthony Randich opened the inning with a double and came around to score on freshman Brad Steinbach's RBI single to right. The Bonnies scored an unearned run in the ninth off sophomore Ryan Thomas but senior Arshwin Asjes fanned Brandon Salerno with two men on to record his tenth save of the season.
Thomas tied the school record for single season appearances with his 26th appearance, tying classmates Matt Blackburn and Kyle Monahan.
Nikorak and freshman centerfielder Byron McKoy each had two hits for the Owls, who overcame five errors to earn their first win in the Championship since 2002.
"The most difficult thing was the time in between [games] because it makes for a real long day. Our guys hung in and did a good job tonight," said third-year head coach Rob Valli.
"We have come a long way and we feel there are a few more steps that we're capable of taking. Getting here was a step in the right direction and winning the game was another big step."
Second baseman Kevin Suminski had two of St. Bonaventure's (29-24) five hits on the evening, while freshman shortstop Jesse Bosnik added a hit and a run scored.
