Courtesy of GoBonnies.com
DAVIDSON, N.C. – St. Bonaventure junior David “Bubba” Hollins had one of the best days at the plate in program history, leading an offensive explosion as the Bonnies knocked off Davidson, 17-4, Sunday afternoon.
St. Bonaventure improves to 6-7 overall and 1-2 in A-10 play while Davidson now stands 11-7, 2-1.
Hollins was unstoppable on the day, going a perfect 6-for-6 at the plate. Included in his fabulous performance were four extra base hits – three doubles and a home run – as well as eight RBIs.
His six hits and eight RBI are believed to be the most in the 32-year tenure of head coach Larry Sudbrook.
The day for the Orchard Park native went like this: RBI single to right in the first, RBI double to right in the fourth, bases-clearing RBI double down the left field line again in the fourth, homer to left in the sixth, two-RBI double to center in the seventh and finally an infield single in the ninth.
The Bonnies entered the fourth inning trailing, 2-1, but took command with a 10-run outburst. Thirteen men came to the plate during the fourth as Bona cranked out nine hits. Hollins tied the game with a double down the line to score Cole Peterson before Jared Baldinelli gave the Bonnies the lead with a run-scoring bunt single.
The rest of the fourth inning damage came with two outs – RBI singles from T.J. Baker and Taishi Terashima set the stage for an RBI double by Ryan MacCarrick before the game’s biggest blow, fittingly from Hollins. The transfer from St. Petersburg (Fla.) College stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and brought all three runners home by doubling down the left field line. David Vaccaro then closed the inning to remember by smacking his second home run of the year to left.
Both teams mustered offense in their first at-bats to begin the contest. St. Bonaventure grabbed the early lead following a double from Peterson and an RBI single off the bat of Hollins.
Davidson immediately answered, though, taking the lead with a two-run home half of the frame. That 2-1 edge would stick until Bona’s incredible fourth.
The Bonnies unloaded for 19 hits and three home runs in all for the afternoon – along with Vaccaro’s long ball in the fourth and Hollins’ in the sixth, T.J. Baker hit his first homer in the Bona uniform in the fifth.
Along with the incredible day of Hollins, Baldinelli and Baker each tallied three hits apiece while MacCarrick, Peterson and Vaccaro all had two apiece.
The offense was more than enough for starter Aaron Phillips who improved to 3-0 on the year with 7.1 innings of work. The junior allowed three earned runs on five hits, striking out a season high seven. Roman Wild closed out the game by getting the final five outs, striking out three of the batters he faced in relief.
Davidson starter Allen Barry (2-2) was tagged with the loss, surrendering six earned runs in 3.2 innings.
St. Bonaventure is scheduled to host its home opener Tuesday vs. Niagara. The Little Three rivals are slated for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. at Fred Handler Park on McGraw-Jennings Field.
GAME NOTES:
St. Bonaventure had its highest run total in any game since a 24-6 win vs. Ohio on March 15, 2014. The Bonnies’ 19 hits are their most since also having 19 in a 12-inning game at Dayton on April 17, 2016.
Hollins has not been retired in his last nine at bats, going 7-for-7 with a walk and was hit by a pitch in another at-bat during that span. Sunday saw his batting average rise from .220 to .304.
St. Bonaventure now has 10 or more hits in seven of 13 games this season.
Phillips’ seven strikeouts tie a career high and are his most since also striking out seven at Binghamton on April 28, 2015.
The seven strikeouts for Phillips also tie a team-high this season, matching Casey Vincent’s seven punchouts last Sunday vs. North Dakota State.
Terashima extended his hitting streak to seven games, matching MacCarrick for SBU’s longest this season.
The Bonnies improved to 4-0 in games Phillips has started on the hill.
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