In the first game of the double header, the Sycamores got a strong performance from Jake Petricka (1-0).  The right-hander threw six strong innings for ISU, as he gave up just three hits while striking out seven hitters.  Brendon Smith also threw well, as he struck out three batters in two innings of work.  Chris Dougherty closed out the game for ISU and struck out one in one inning of work.

“We were in a positive situation in game one, because Jake struggled early but bounced back and gave us six quality innings,” said head coach Lindsay Meggs.  “That really allowed us to save our bullpen for game two and give us a chance for the sweep.”

ISU picked up a run in the second inning, before adding four in the bottom of the third inning to widen the led to 5-0 early.  Nick Ciolli ripped a RBI double to get the scoring started for ISU and later Luke Fieser and Brian Jett chipped in with RBI singles in the inning to tack a couple more runs on the board and put the Sycamores in the driver's seat.

Three more runs were added to the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning for the Sycamores to make the score 8-0.  With runners on first and second with one out in the inning, Tyler Graham cleared the bases with a triple and picked up two RBI as Ciolli and Brady Shoemaker scored.  Fieser was then hit by a pitch to give the Sycamore a couple runners on base and Graham came home on RBI single by Jett to round out the scoring. 

The Mountaineers tacked on an unearned run in the top of the fifth inning to make the score 8-1, before the Sycamores answered with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning on a RBI single by Shoemaker.  From there, both teams went scoreless and ISU picked up its sixth win of the season with a 9-1 final.

ISU's strong pitching on the day continued in game two, as Eric Valdez (1-0) picked up the win in seven strong innings with the help of 13 strikeouts from St. Bonaventure hitters.  The Sycamores wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the game, as they tallied five runs in the top of the first inning.  Shoemaker, Graham, Fieser, Brian Ramirez and Bronco Lafrenz all picked up RBI in the inning for the Sycamores as they got out to an early lead again. 

From there, the bats went silent for both teams until the top of the seventh inning when ISU put two more runs on the board to make the score 7-0.  Graham added a RBI single that scored Shoemaker from second base and Lafrenz added a RBI double that scored Fieser from third base later in the inning.

Four more Sycamores crossed the plate in the top of the eighth inning to make the score 11-1.  Ciolli picked up a RBI sacrifice fly to get the scoring started for ISU and Ryan Strausborger scored from third base on a wild pitch for the second run of the inning.  Following a Shoemaker double, Jett and Koby Kraemer each walked to load the bases for Pascual Del Real who ripped a RBI double and picked up two RBI as Shoemaker and Jett scored.

Just for good measure, ISU added a run in the ninth inning on a Shoemaker RBI ground out that scored Tony Colucci from first base to put a cap on the 12-0 victory for the Sycamores.  ISU collected 16 hits during the 12-run barrage and allowed just three hits on the day to St. Bonaventure hitters.

“The key today was scoring runs early in both games,” said Meggs.  “When we do that, it takes the pressure off the pitching staff and allows the defense to relax and play loose.  I thought we were able to do that all day and any time you give up just four walks in 18 innings, you give yourself a chance to win games.”

ISU wraps up the weekend series on Sunday, when it takes on the New York Institute of Technology at 11 a.m.