MERION STATION, Pa. – Lucas Rollins tossed eight strong innings on Thursday afternoon and John Brue's two-run single in the bottom of the eighth gave the Saint Joseph's baseball team its sixth consecutive victory with a 4-1 win over St. Bonaventure at Smithson Field.
Rollins allowed one run on five hits and struck out five while walking none in his final start of the regular season. He recorded 16 groundball outs while notching his seventh quality start of the season.
Saint Joseph's (29-19 overall, 15-7 Atlantic 10) took an early lead as Charlie Concannon led off the bottom of the second with a ground-rule double, went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Matt Maul, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Cal Jadacki.
Rollins then retired eight in a row and nine of 10 before St. Bonaventure (24-22-1 overall, 9-13 Atlantic 10) knotted the game in the fifth. Consecutive singles to lead off the frame eventually led to Tommy LaCongo scoring the tying run on a ground ball that was mishandled on the infield.
The game settled into a pitcher's duel, as the Bonnies' Brandon Schlimm sent down 12 in a row and 15 of 16 at one point while Rollins retired 11 of the final 12 batters he faced, with the lone baserunner coming on an error in the eighth.
The Hawks chased Schlimm from the game and took the lead in the bottom of the eighth. Taylor Boyd led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a balk before Marc Giacalone walked to put two on with nobody out. T.J. Baker came on to replace Schlimm, but issued a free pass to Deon Stafford, Jr., to load the bases.
Another pitching change saw lefty Nate Grant come on to face Brue, who hit a 3-1 pitch through the right side to score a pair and give the Hawks the lead. Stafford advanced to third on the play, and two batters later, a Concannon sacrifice fly brought him home with an insurance run.
The Bonnies threatened in the ninth as a walk and a hit batsman put two aboard to start the inning. LaCongo flied out to left for the first out, and pinch hitter Ted Dilts grounded into a double play to end the ballgame.
Rollins improved to 5-4 on the season, while Schlimm fell to 7-5 after allowing three runs on five hits. Ryan Kelly pitched the ninth for his eighth save of the season.
The teams will conclude their respective regular seasons with a doubleheader on Friday. First pitch in the opener is set for noon. Between games, the Hawks will hold their annual Senior Day ceremony to honor the departing Class of 2016.
