April 15, 2011
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
OLEAN, NY - The starting pitchers had an impressive afternoon as the La Salle baseball team swept a doubleheader at St. Bonaventure with 6-3 and 7-4 victories, respectively, on Friday afternoon at Fred Handler Park.
The wins improve La Salle's overall record to a season-high seven games over .500 as the Explorers have won five straight Atlantic 10 contents after last weekend's sweep at Temple.
In game one of the twin bill, Jon Gyles had three hits to continue his remarkable on-base streak and starter Kevin Fuqua enjoyed one of his more efficient starts of the season. Gyles' RBI single in the fourth inning extended his on-base streak to 31 games as La Salle was able to push across four runs in the frame to take a 4-1 edge.
Gyles finished the contest 3-for-4 with the one RBI. The junior would also reach base safely with a hit in game two, extending the streak to 32 games.
After allowing a run in the first inning, Fuqua (3-3) settled down and lasted 6.2 frames while allowing only five hits and two runs with two walks and six strikeouts. The victory for Fuqua is his first since the dominating eight-plus inning performance against Fordham back on March 25.
"Our pitching did a great job and we had some nice timely hits," said head coach Mike Lake. "That's a recipe for success."
The Explorers (20-13, 7-4) added two more runs in the fifth off a clutch two-run single by Zack Feierstein (Bethesda, MD/St. John's) to take command of the contest with a 6-2 lead.
Dominic Sgroi relieved Fuqua in the seventh and allowed one run over the remaining 2.1 innings to seal the game-one victory for La Salle.
In the second game of the double dip, Eric Van Wyk one-upped his teammate Fuqua with a brilliant outing, pitching into the ninth inning and keeping his unblemished record intact. Offensively, La Salle jumped on the Bonnies early with a three-run first-inning, sparked by a two-run single by Eric Kammler.
Marc Schoch had a breakout performance at the plate in game two with a two-run triple in the fourth inning followed up by an RBI double in the sixth. Schoch went 2-for-5 with three RBI in the game and helped La Salle build a 6-2 lead that they would not relinquish.
The win for Van Wyk improves his record to 3-0 on the season as he lasted 8.1 innings while allowing four runs (three earned) off six hits with no walks and five strikeouts.
"He had all of his pitches working even though he was up in the zone. Once the third inning came on he was locked in," said Lake.
Due to inclement weather on Saturday, the two teams will most likely play the final game of the series on Sunday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for noon. RHP Cody Weiss (3-4, 6.33) will get the start for La Salle. Check back on La Salle's home page for an updated schedule on Saturday afternoon.
"Every game is one game at a time, these two are over, now we can worry about the next game whether we play Saturday or Sunday," Lake added. "However it's definitely nice to get the series victory all in one day."
