Bears Bats Quiet in Loss to Richard Stockton

Bears Bats Quiet in Loss to Richard Stockton

MYRTLE BEACH, SC – Continuing their weekend in Myrtle Beach, the St. Joseph's College baseball team was defeated by the Richard Stockton Ospreys, 13-3. The Bears had only three hits, one for extra bases, while the Ospreys touched up St. Joseph's pitching staff for 11 hits while also taking nine walks and three hit by pitches.

The Bears fell behind early once again, as Richard Stockton was able to put a run across in the first innings on a two-out triple by Mike Wasco. In the following inning, the Bears again could have walked away unharmed, but Mike Bush had a two-out single to score one and a Bears' fielding error plated another before the inning came to a close.

St. Joseph's answered with a run of their own in the bottom half of the second. Freshman Joseph Mendez (Staten Island, NY/Monsignor Farrell) doubled in fellow freshman Mike Cundari (Staten Island, NY/St. Peters) to put the Bears on the board. The Bears looked primed for a big inning with runners on second and third and nobody out following the double, but couldn't push another run across.

The Ospreys added runs in the 4th and 6th off of starter Paul Piccirillo (Brooklyn, NY/Xaverian) to extend their lead to 6-1. Continuing their two-out success, Bush drove in two runs with his two-out double in the 4th. Piccarillo completed six innings of work, giving up six runs (five earned) and seven hits, while striking out eight.

Trailing by five in the 7th, the Bears drew four walks, including one for an RBI, and junior Joe Boccia picked up an RBI with his bases loaded single to cut the lead to 6-3. The Bears brought the go-ahead run to the plate but Richard Stockton reliever Zack Brebner got Kevin Diaz (Staten Island, NY/Monsignor Farrell) to ground into a 6-6-3 double play to end the inning and the threat.

The Ospreys then exploded for a five run 8th to put the game out of reach. Wasco again did the damage, connecting off of sophomore Chris Vargas (Brooklyn, NY/Nazareth Regional) for a grand slam. They added two more in the ninth to win, 13-3.

Wasco and Bush combined to go 4-for-9 with eight RBI and two runs scored to lead Richard Stockton. Pitcher Bryan Frank stymied the Bears offense for five innings allowing one run and one hit, while striking out seven.

The Bears return to the diamond later this afternoon as they look to avenge last night's loss to SUNY Oswego. Senior Kevin Hernandez (Corona, NY/Newtown) is slated to start on the hill for St. Joseph's. Game time is scheduled for 4:00 pm.