St. John's University Athletics
Klemms Complete Game Leads SJU Past BC, 6-2
4/8/2001 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Klemm got into trouble in the first two innings, but was able to work out of the jams. After issuing a two-out walk in the first inning, Joe Kealty was thrown out at the plate on Brian Macchis double. In the second, Klemm walked Chris Rosado, who was forced out when Jeff Mackors reached base on a fielders choice. Mackor was thrown out stealing, and the Eagles threat ended.
BC put up a run in the third when Mike Hubbard doubled to left and scored when Ryan Leahy reached base on an error by SJU freshman Josh Stewart (Bloomsburg, Pa./Bloomsburg).
The Red Storm, however, bounced back and gave Klemm all the support he would need in the bottom of the fourth. Senior Chris Fallon (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) hit a leadoff double and stayed at second when junior third baseman Jason Kane (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford) dribbled a ground ball through the left side. A single by junior second baseman J.P. Cirigliano (Flushing, N.Y./St. Francis Prep) loaded the bases and Fallon scored when Matt Lederhos threw a wild pitch, tying the game. Lederhos then walked sophomore designated hitter Chad Cambra (Taunton, Mass./Coyle & Cassidy) to load the bases again. Leadoff hitter, junior right fielder Billy Graiser (Muttontown, N.Y./Miller Place) delivered a two-run double down the right field line, giving St. Johns a 3-1 lead.
The Eagles, however, cut the margin back to one run in the fifth when Jarrett Mendoza hit a leadoff double, moved to third on Scott Lemones single and scored on Josh DiScipios sacrifice bunt.
The Red Storm put up two more runs in the fifth, increasing the margin to 5-1. Junior centerfielder Charlie Bilezikjian (Staten Island, N.Y./Port Richmond) hit a leadoff single, stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on Kanes single up the middle. A sacrifice fly from Cambra scored senior Eric Potts (Little Ferry, N.J./Ridgefield Park), who had walked, moved to second on Kanes single and to third on a hit by Cirigliano.
St. Johns tacked on an insurance run in the sixth when Graiser was issued a leadoff walk, stole second and moved to third on error and then scored on Bilezikjians sacrifice fly to right.
That was enough for Klemm, who settled down after the third inning. Despite allowing one run in the fifth, Klemm retired 19 of the last 21 batters he faced, including the final 15. He struck out four in the last four innings and only two batters hit balls out of the infield. Klemm threw his first complete game, allowing one earned run on four hits, walking just two batters and striking out five batters. He is now 3-2 overall with a 4.04 earned run average, and 2-1 with a 4.26 ERA in BIG EAST games.
Kane finished the day 3-for-4 with three singles, one run scored and one RBI, making him 6-for-11 with five singles, a double, one run and four RBI this weekend. Fallon went 2-for-4 with a double, single and one run scored, while Cirigliano finished 2-for4 with two singles and a run scored.
The Red Storm play next on Tuesday, hosting St. Francis (N.Y.) at 3 p.m. at the Ballpark at St. Johns.
