Saint Joseph’s did enough early — and just enough late.
Behind a power surge from Blake Primrose and a six-inning effort from Duke McCarron, the Hawks built a commanding lead and then held off a furious rally to secure an 11-10 win over St. Bonaventure on Friday, clinching a spot in the Atlantic 10 Championship.
The victory gives Saint Joseph’s its 20th conference win, extends its postseason streak to six straight seasons, and maintains a five-game lead over Davidson atop the Atlantic 10 standings.
For much of the afternoon, it didn’t feel like it would come down to the final inning.
The Hawks struck first in the second when Jason Janesko reached, stole second, and eventually scored on a throwing error. After St. Bonaventure briefly tied it in the third, Saint Joseph’s responded immediately — and emphatically.
Alex Kelsey singled to set the table, and Primrose followed by launching the first pitch he saw deep to left-center, giving the Hawks a 3-1 lead.
It was the start of a dominant stretch.
Carson Applegate added an RBI single in the fourth, and an inning later, Kelsey again reached ahead of Primrose — who once more attacked the first pitch, sending it out to left for his second home run of the game and a 6-1 advantage.
By the sixth, the game broke open.
Applegate was hit by a pitch, Joey Gale walked, and Primrose was intentionally walked to load the bases. Richard Beggy made it hurt, lining a ball to right that was misplayed, clearing the bases and pushing the lead further. Janesko followed with a double to extend it to 10-1.
Saint Joseph’s added another run in the seventh, and at 11-2, it appeared to be over.
It wasn’t.
St. Bonaventure mounted a relentless rally in the eighth, capitalizing on walks, wild pitches, and timely hits to score eight runs and cut the lead to 11-10, turning a runaway into a one-run game.
Suddenly, the margin was gone.
Andrew Gaines made sure the game didn’t slip away entirely.
The closer retired the side in order in the ninth to record his ninth save, preserving the win and sending Saint Joseph’s into the postseason.
McCarron earned the victory with six strong innings, allowing just one unearned run on four hits while striking out five.
Primrose finished with two home runs and five RBIs, tying the program’s single-season home run record with 19. Kelsey added three hits and scored three times, while Beggy drove in two.
Every starter reached base, a reflection of an offense that controlled the game for seven innings — and survived the eighth.
Now, Saint Joseph’s moves forward with its postseason spot secured and a firm grip on the top of the conference.
But Friday was a reminder.
Even comfortable leads don’t last forever in May.
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