St. John's University Athletics
Red Storm Baseball Splits Doubleheader with UConn
4/20/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Red Storm jumped on top early in the first game, with senior Billy Graiser (Muttontown, N.Y.) hitting a leadoff single and moving to second on a sacrifice bunt. After moving to third on a Bilezikjian single, he scored on a groundout from sophomore Jeremy Winter (Cliffside Park, N.J.). In the third, junior Asa Grunenwald (Boalsburg, Pa.) and Graiser reached on singles and a bunt single from sophomore Anthony DeRosa (Salem, N.H.) loaded the bases. Bilezikjian walked to drive in the first run, and Winters fielders choice scored Graiser with another run. The lead grew to 4-0 in the fifth when Grunenwald hit a leadoff double, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on Bilezikjians single to left-center.
Connecticut, however, loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning off SJU freshman starter Jim Wladyka (Rutherford, N.J.) and chased him after he hit Peter Soteropolous to score the first run. A two-run single from Tyler Stefkovich highlighted the Huskies five-run inning, as they took a 5-4 lead.
In the top of the sixth, however, the Red Storm pounded out five runs on five hits to take the lead. Freshman Jim Martin (Norwood, Mass.) started it with a single to right. Pinch-runner Josh Young (Pittsford, N.Y.) moved to third when a bunt from senior Jason Kane (Rutherford, N.J.) was misplayed and scored on a bunt by junior Chad Cambra (Taunton, Mass.), tying the game. A single to right from Mike Rozema (Fair Lawn, N.J.) scored Kane with the go-ahead run. Grunenwalds single put runners on second and third and Graiser was intentionally walked to load the bases before Bilezikjian hit a single to left, increasing the lead to 9-5.
Wladyka started and went 4.1 innings, allowing five runs (two earned) on seven hits before being relieved. Graiser went 3-for-3 with three singles, three runs scored, one RBI and a stolen base, while Bilezikjian hit three singles and drove in four runs and Grunenwald went 3-for-3 with a double, two singles, and three runs scored.
In the nightcap, the Red Storm again got on top early, with DeRosa hitting a one-out triple and scoring on Kanes groundout, but the Huskies scored three times in the bottom of the inning off senior starter Greg Holmes (Stony Brook, N.Y.) and once more in the second to take a 4-1 lead. A three-run third, however, got the Red Storm right back in it. Young was on first with a single, moved to third on Graisers bunt single and scored on a throwing error. Graiser scored on a double from DeRosa, who eventually came in on a sacrifice fly, tying the game.
The Huskies responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning to take command. They would add three more in the fourth, and two more in the fifth and sixth, respectively, opening a 15-6 lead. St. Johns scored four times in the top of the eighth inning and had the bases loaded with two out, but could not get any more runs across.
DeRosa went 3-for-6 with a triple, double, single, three runs scored and one RBI; Martin had a single and three RBI; and Graiser went 3-for-5, with three singles, two runs scored and two RBI.
St. Johns and Connecticut wrap up their three-game series on Sunday at noon.
