Box ScoreBRADENTON, Fla. - Sophomore Christian Friedrich allowed an unearned run in 6.0 innings, striking out seven to lead the Eastern Kentucky baseball team to a 5-1 victory over the Bucknell Bison at IMG Field on Thursday morning. The Bison sit at 5-7 on the year following the loss, while EKU moves to 8-7.
The Colonels jumped out in front, 1-0, in the bottom of the first. With two out, Lucas Waters doubled to left field, moved to third on a passed ball and came home on an RBI single up the middle by Joe Oliver.
In the top of the second, Bucknell knotted the score at one. Freshman John Avanzino led off with a walk and later scored on an RBI groundout by sophomore Bret Sokirka. That would be all the Bison would manage to plate in the contest, however, as the Orange and Blue had opportunities to score but left 10 runners on base.
Eastern Kentucky reclaimed the advantage with two runs in the bottom of the frame. Tyler Barnett walked and Waters brought him in with a sacrifice fly. Tony Wells then produced another sacrifice fly for the Colonels, which scored Aaron Barrows. In its next turn at bat, EKU brought the score to 4-1 with a solo home run to right by Dylan McMaine.
The Colonels later added their fifth run in the contest on an error in the eighth after Barnett reached on a fielder's choice.
Freshman Andrew Clarke started for the Bison and took the loss (1-1) as he worked three innings and surrendered four runs on five hits with two walks and one strikeout. Sophomore Jimmy Murphy tossed four innings in relief of Clarke and gave up one unearned run on two hits with one walk and two strikeouts. Junior David Solan (Newark, Del./Newark) threw the final inning and did not allow a hit and struck out two.
The Colonels return to action tomorrow at 10 a.m. against Dartmouth.
