St. John's University Athletics
Schultz, Rozema Lead St. Johns Past LIU, 14-2
5/1/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Red Storm jumped on top with a five-run first inning off LIU senior Marcello Sarrica. Senior Billy Graiser (Muttontown, N.Y.) led the bottom of the first off with a bunt single, stole second and remained there when junior Derek Sullivan (Lincoln, Calif.) walked. Rozema followed with a blast to right his second home run this season and second of his career giving St. Johns a quick 3-0 lead.
Junior Drew Jackson (Morgantown, W. Va.) followed with a single and eventually scored on an error and Schultz accounted for the innings final run with a sacrifice fly.
The Red Storm added four more runs in the second, taking a 9-0 lead. Graiser drew a leadoff walk, stole second, moved to third on Sullivans single and scored when Rozema grounded out to first. Sullivan stole second and walks to junior Anthony DeRosa (Salem, N.H.) and Jackson loaded the bases. LIUs Pedro Jimenez relieved Sarrica and walked senior catcher Asa Grunenwald (Boalsburg, Pa.), scoring Sullivan, and Schultz followed with a two-run single to left, giving St. Johns a 9-0 lead.
The Blackbirds added a single run in the fourth on a home run to center by Mike Thompson, but St. Johns responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning, when Schultz blasted a shot to left, increasing the lead to 12-1.
The Red Storm added two more runs in the sixth on an RBI triple to center from freshman Greg Thomson (Levittown, N.Y.) and an RBI single from sophomore Jim Martin (Norwood, Mass.). St. Johns used eight pitchers in the win, with freshman Craig Hansen (Glen Cove, N.Y.) throwing a scoreless fifth inning, striking out three batters, as he improved to 2-2 this season.
Rozema finished the night 1-for-3, with four RBI, and he has reached base safely in 26 of the last 27 games now. Schultz went 3-for-4, with a double, single, home run, two runs scored and six RBI.
St. Johns hits the road on Friday, traveling to Virginia Tech for a crucial three-game series at Virginia Tech this weekend. The Hokies are one game ahead of St. Johns for the fourth and final spot in the BIG EAST Tournament. A doubleheader on Saturday will begin at noon, and the series finale is on Sunday at noon.