Flyers start A-10 season with two wins

Saturday, the UD baseball team started its Atlantic 10 season with a doubleheader split with the St. Bonaventure Bonnies at Stuart Field.

The Flyers took an early lead in game one when junior third baseman Aaron Reesh singled to drive in senior shortstop Nate Winkelfoos from second base.

Reesh’s single turned out to be one of only three Flyer hits in the game as St. Bonaventure’s Kyle Johnson shut down Dayton’s lumber.

The Bonnies scored in the fifth inning when Mike Tegeler beat out a bunt and advanced to second on a passed ball. He then scored on an error, tying the game.

In the sixth, St. Bonaventure took the lead when Tim Burris singled in Mark Evers for a 2-1 advantage. Burris later scored on one of four Flyer errors.

Junior pitcher Mike Rolih was given the loss despite giving up just one earned run on six hits in seven innings of work. He falls to 3-3 on the season. Senior center fielder Mark Schulte and senior left fielder Brooks Vogel had the only other hits for the Flyers.

The Flyers took the offensive humiliation of the first game to heart and pounded St. Bonaventure starter Kevin Niemczura for four runs in the first inning of the day’s second game and took advantage of a sloppy Bonnies’ defense.

The scoring started when Niemczura walked junior catcher Mark Wahl with the bases loaded. Senior right fielder Brent Berigan then singled in two more runs, and junior third baseman Corey Allen singled home Wahl to complete the first inning explosion.

Bonnies’ center fielder Mike Rapcioli knocked a solo home run in the third inning, but St. Bonaventure would get no closer.

In the bottom half of the third, Vogel doubled and scored on an RBI single from Berigan. Berigan then stole second and was driven in by senior first baseman Clint Beasley, earning his ninth RBI of the season.

Dayton added another run in the fourth as Reesh reached base with a single and moved to second on Vogel’s second hit of the game. After two consecutive St. Bonaventure errors, Reesh crossed home for the Flyers’ seventh and final run.

The Bonnies committed a season-high five errors, leading to five unearned runs.

Niemczura was given the loss, despite lasting just over two innings, and junior pitcher Mike Kerins picked up the win for the Flyers, going the distance and striking out seven while surrendering no walks.

Vogel, Berigan and Winkelfoos each went 2-for-3 in the game. Berigan had three RBIs.

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By: Tim Shea