LEWISBURG, Pa.– Senior centerfielder Matt Busch delivered a bases-loaded single with one out in the bottom of the 11th inning as Bucknell University (13-24) came from behind to edge the Tigers (19-18) by a 5-4 margin in a non-conference game at Christy Mathewson Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

The win was Bucknell's fourth victory in a row.

With one out in the bottom of the 11th inning, designated hitter Anthony Gingerelli singled to rightfield. When catcher Marcus Hernandez followed with another single to right, the Bison had the winning run in scoring position. Sophomore righthander Nick Cioffi, who had pitched three scoreless innings of relief entering the 11th inning, loaded the bases when he hit pinch hitter Corey Furman with a pitch. That set the stage for Busch, who drove in the game-winning run with a single to right.

The Tigers grabbed a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning as they scored twice with two outs. Senior catcher Andrew Parker gave Towson a 1-0 advantage when he smashed his sixth home run of the season over the left field fence. Junior rightfielder Dominic Fratantuono kept the rally alive when he tripled to left centerfield. Junior Kurt Wertz, the Tigers' hottest hitter, followed with a double to drive in the second run. Bucknell escaped the inning when third baseman Brendan Butler was retired on a fly ball to centerfield.

In the bottom of the first, the Bison came back to score a run. With one out, second baseman Travis Clark singled. He advanced to second base when third baseman Carter Bumgardner was hit by a pitch. Clark and Bumgardner attempted a double steal but Parker threw out Bumgardner trying to steal second base. With Clark on third base, first baseman Luke Lombardi doubled to left, driving in Clark to cut the lead to 2-1. Leftfielder Brett Ashley struck out to end the threat.

In the third inning, the Bison tied the game when Clark doubled with two outs and Bumgardner singled to centerfield, driving in a run. After a walk to Lombardi, junior righthander Nik Nowottnick pitched out of trouble by getting Ashley on a ground ball to second base.

Gingerelli led off the bottom of the fourth with a double to left. When Justin Meier followed with a single, the Bison had runners on first and third with no outs. Shortstop Greg Wasiluski put Bucknell ahead when he hit a sacrifice fly to left, giving the Bison a 3-2 lead. However, Nowottnick struck out the next two hitters to retire the side.

Bucknell's 3-2 lead didn't last very long. Senior Cody Reeves led off the fifth inning with a double to centerfield. After he advanced to third base on a wild pitch, he scored the tying run when sophomore centerfielder Richie Blosser grounded out to second base. Zach Fisher kept the inning alive when he drew a walk. He reached second base when junior shortstop Hunter Bennett grounded out. Moments later, Fisher scored the go-ahead run when Parker doubled to right centerfield, giving the Tigers a 4-3 advantage. Fratantuono grounded out to end the inning.

In the seventh inning, the Tigers missed a great chance to break the game open. Blosser led off with a single and advanced to third base on back-to-back wild pitches. When Fisher drew a walk, the Tigers had runners on first and third with no outs. After Bennett struck out, Parker hit a hard line drive to third base where Bumgardner made the catch and threw to first base, doubling off Fisher to retired the side.

In the bottom of the seventh, freshman righthander Garrett Walther relieved Nowottnik. After retiring the first two hitters of the inning, he gave up a single to Clark and walked Bumgardner. With two runners on base, Walther tried to pick off Bumgardner at first base but his throwing error enabled Clark to score while Bumgardner reached third base. Then, he retired Lombardi on a ground ball back to the mound, preserving the 4-4 tie.

In the eighth, the Tigers received a break when Wertz reached second base on an error by Busch. Pinch runner Brandon Gonnella advanced to third base when Butler grounded out. But, Kurtis Voytell popped up to end the threat.

In the ninth inning, Blosser drew a one-out walk and went to second base on a wild pitch. However, he was stranded at second when Fisher struck out and Bennett grounded out.

Meanwhile, Cioffi came out of the Tiger bullpen to retire the Bison in order in the eighth and ninth innings, sending the contest into extra frames.

In the top of the 11th inning, the Tigers squandered another chance to take the lead. With one out, Voytell drew a walk. Sophomore Peter Bowles followed with a single to left field. However, leftfielder Scott Glass threw out Voytell, who was trying to reach third base. Bowles advanced to second base on the throw to third. Blosser drew a walk to put two runners on base. Bowles and Blosser moved into scoring position when freshman righthander Max Kra threw a wild pitch. A walk to Fisher loaded the bases for Bennett. But, Bennett was retired on a fly ball to centerfield, preserving the tie.

Kra earned the win with 2.2 innings of scoreless relief. He allowed one hit and survived a four-walk performance. Bucknell pitchers walked 10 Tigers in the win.

Cioffi suffered the loss, allowing one run on four hits in 3.1 innings of relief.

Clark led the Bison with four base hits and he scored three runs. Lombardi and Gingerelli each had two hits.

Parker and Fratantuono led the Tigers with two hits each. Parker drove in two runs.

The Tigers return to action on Wednesday afternoon when they travel to George Washington University.