QUEENS, N.Y. – The St. John’s baseball team dropped the series opener to California Baptist on Friday afternoon in a 12-3 decision at Jack Kaiser Stadium.
The Lancers (22-5) jumped out to an early lead, but the Red Storm (10-15) fought back to make it a one-run game in the bottom of the fifth. CBU responded with a six-run sixth frame to take firm control of the game.
St. John’s was led by Shaun McMillan who was a perfect 2-for-2 on the afternoon, driving in a pair of runs and collecting two walks. Jayder Raifstanger went 2-for-4 from the dish, knocking in a run. The pair of Dylan Fitzsimmons and Rob Mansour reach registered a hit.
Right hander Liam O’Leary pitched 5.0 innings, allowing four runs on six hits. Brady Clark closed out the contest, providing 2.1 innings of work and allowing just one earned run.
CBU took control early plating a run in the first, but O’Leary worked out of a bases loaded jam to get out of the inning.
In the top of the third, the Lancers added another three tallies to make it 4-0.
St. John’s responded in the bottom of the frame. Following a Jon LeGrande walk, McMillan sent a ball to deep left-center field for his second home run of the season to make it 4-2.
The Johnnies tacked on another run in the bottom of the fifth on a Raifstanger single to score Mansour, making it a one run ball game at 4-3.
California Baptist opened the game in the top of the sixth with a six-run rally, 10-3.
The Lancers would plated another two runs in the top of the ninth and hold off a late rally in the bottom of the frame.
St. John’s and CBU will battle again tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m.
