LEWISBURG, Pa. – Peter Sitaras scored three runs and Matt Maul drove in three of his own as the Saint Joseph's baseball team won its third straight game with a 9-2 win over Bucknell at Depew Field on Tuesday afternoon.
Saint Joseph's (5-9) jumped out to an early lead as Deon Stafford led off the game with a single, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and came in to score on a single by Maul.
Bucknell (9-6) answered in the bottom of the inning as Joe Ogren hit a solo home run to tie the game.
The Hawks went ahead once again in the second on a single by Stefan Kancylarz that scored Taylor Boyd and gave SJU a 2-1 lead.
The Bison threatened in the third, loading the bases with two outs, but Maul snagged a lineout by Danny Rafferty to end the inning and keep Bucknell off the board.
SJU extended the advantage with a three-spot in the fourth. Dominic Cuoci led off with a walk and moved to second on a single by Boyd. Sitaras followed with a bunt single; on the ensuing play, Cuoci crossed the plate on a throwing error to put the Hawks ahead, 3-1.
A sacrifice fly from Stafford scored Boyd and left a runner on first with one out for Kancylarz, who drew a walk. He and Sitaras advanced to second and third, respectively, on a balk, before a sacrifice fly from Maul gave SJU a four-run cushion at 5-1.
Bucknell loaded the bases again in the fifth after a single was followed by a pair of errors, but Joe Manion caught Raffery looking at strike three to once again strand all three Bison and preserve SJU's lead.
In the sixth, it was Saint Joseph's turn to load the bases, as Sitaras was hit by a pitch and Stafford and Kancylarz drew consecutive walks, all with one out. Maul then hit into a fielder's choice, but a throwing error allowed both Sitaras and Stafford to score and up the lead to 7-1.
A fielder's choice by Brett Smith scored Rob Krentzman in the bottom of the inning to cut the Hawks' lead to 7-2, but SJU answered in the eighth with a pair of runs on another sacrifice fly by Maul and a wild pitch by Jack Schoenberger.
Stafford finished the day with a pair of hits and two runs scored, while Boyd scored twice and John Brue notched two hits as well.
Manion recorded the win, improving to 1-1 on the year. He allowed one run on four hits while striking out two. Justin Aungst made the start for SJU, allowing a run on three hits and two walks while fanning three. Tim McCarthy and Ryan Kelly combined for three innings of hitless, shutout relief to finish the game.
Mike Korchak made the start for the Bison and took the loss after allowing five runs on eight hits and a pair of walks in three and a third innings.
Saint Joseph's will look for its fifth win in its last six games on Wednesday when the Hawks host Monmouth at Smithson Field. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.
