March 29, 2005
NEW YORK, N.Y. - St. John's scored in all but two innings, defeating Columbia 22-3 at Andy Coakley Field. With the loss, Columbia fell to 3-14, while St. John's improved to 10-9.
The Red Storm jumped on the board early, scoring three runs in the first off of five hits and an error. Will Vogul highlighted the first-inning charge with an RBI triple.
After scoring three in the second and two in the third, St. John's blew the game open in the fourth with 10 runs on nine hits and with three Columbia errors. The Red Storm strung together seven consecutive hits, including two doubles during the side.
Columbia's Mike DeFazio scored in the second, as he walked, stole second base and was scored on two consecutive groundouts. Mike Malfettone scored in the sixth on a groundout by DeFazio and Jason Matos scored a run in the ninth, reaching on an error and scoring on Ray Waters' single.
Of the eight Columbia pitchers on the day, Andrew Farrell, Nick Oleksak and John Baumann pitched scoreless relief for the Lions. First-year Matt Berninger picked up the loss and Justin Muir earned the win, pitching three innings and giving up just two hits.
St. John's totaled 22 runs on 28 hits, while Columbia had three runs on seven hits.
The Lions return to action on Saturday when they host Harvard for a doubleheader beginning at noon.
