Box Score BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Jon Kristoffersen (Jefferson, N.J./Jefferson Township) knocked in four runs to power Saint Peter's past Lehigh 16-9 in non-conference baseball action on Wednesday.
Kristoffersen also went 3-for-4 on the day with a run scored. The junior recorded a sacrifice fly in the third, an RBI single in the fourth and a two-run triple in the seventh. It was the second time in his career Kristoffersen had four RBIs in a game and after knocking in four runs in a 6-5 win against Saint Louis on Feb. 28, 2013.
Nick Ciocco (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill) added two hits, four runs scored and two RBIs for the Peacocks (3-19-1) while
Chris Hugg (Ironia, N.J./Randolph) went 4-for-5 with three runs scored and three RBIs in the winning effort.
Patrick Walshe paced the Mountain Hawks (9-19) with three hits and three RBIs while Mackey Price added two hits, three RBIs and a run scored while Mike Garzillo posted a hit, two RBIs and a run scored in the loss.
Saint Peter's rally from an early deficit against Lehigh to help the Peacocks split the two-game series with the Mountain Hawks.
Saint Peter's scored six-straight runs over the course of the third and fourth innings to erase a 4-0 deficit to take a 6-4 lead.
Mike Ionta (Westfield, N.J./Westfield) reached after getting hit with a pitch to open the third, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch before the freshman touched home on Kristoffersen's sacrifice fly to center to trim the margin to 4-1.
Aided by an error, the Peacocks added five runs in the fourth to take a two-run lead. The Mountain Hawks walked the bases loaded to put Hugg, Rawson and Kyle Grimes (Iselin, N.J./JFK Memorial) on bases. With two outs, Ionta hit a slow roller to the shortstop that he could not handle to plate Hugg and extend the inning. Ciocco then brought home Rawson and Grimes on a two-run double to left center. Cicco then advanced to third on a wild pitch and touched home on an infield RBI single by Kristoffersen for a 6-4 lead.
Walshe homered for Lehigh in the bottom of the fourth to trim the margin to 6-5.
Saint Peter's answered right back with a run in the fifth and then posted three runs in the sixth to take a 10-5 lead.
Hugg singled to start the fifth and then stole second and third before Vinny Maietta (Franklin Square, N.J./St. Mary) hit an RBI single up the middle to plate Hugg for a 7-5 advantage.
The Peacocks then scored three times in the sixth. Ciocco doubled and came around to score on Moore's RBI double to center. After Hugg singled through the left side, Rawson plated Rob Moore (Ridge, N.Y./Longwood) and Hugg on a two-run triple to left center for a five-run lead.
The Mountain Hawks responded right back with three-runs in the bottom of the sixth to cut the margin to 10-8 thanks to an Earl Weaver special by Price.
Just like the last time Lehigh scored, Saint Peter's answered in its next frame with three runs to restore the five-run margin. Ionta singled to center with one out and Ciocco walked before Kristoffersen brought home both runners on a two-run triple to right. Hugg then scored Kristoffersen with a two-out RBI single to center for a 13-8 lead.
Walshe doubled home a run in the bottom of the seven to trim the Peacocks' lead to 13-9.
The Jersey City team then scored three times in the ninth to help seal the victory. Ionta was the catalyst for the rally again after leading off the inning with a walk. After Ciocco walked, Ionta scored on a wild pitch before Moore walked. Hugg then plated both runners when he smacked an opposite field two-run triple to right center for a 16-9 lead.
Lehigh got on the scoreboard with four runs in the first to take a 4-0 lead. Garzillo smacked a two-run single to left field and then scored after the next batter reached on an error. Walshe capped the four-run stanza with an RBI single through the left side.
Saint Peter's then scored 16 out of the final 21 runs to come away with the victory and to split the home-and-home series with Mountain Hawks.
The Peacocks posted a season-high 16 runs in the game. Ionta had a hit and four runs scored. Paul Schifilliti (Toms River, N.J./Toms River East) got the win on the mound.
Saint Peter's returns to action when the squad hosts defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference regular season champion Canisius for a three-game series this weekend. The two teams will play a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m. on Saturday.
