HOMESTEAD, FL - The University at Buffalo baseball team opened their 2001 season with a pair of losses falling to Florida International 10-6 late Friday night and and 2-1 to Duquesne on Saturday afternoon.

The Bulls (0-2) opened the season visiting the Golden Panthers, ranked 38th according to the current USA Today Baseball Weekly poll at FIU's University Park in Miami. After spotting FIU a first inning unearned run, the Bulls erupted for five runs in the top of the second. Bryan Sanchez (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) scored the Bulls' first run after doubling to right and scoring from third on Mike Flaherty's (Spencerport, NY/Spencerport) single up the middle. Flaherty then scored on a Tim Sova (Rochester, NY/Greece-Athena) double to left. Adrian Daniels (Spencerport, NY/Spencerport) then unloaded a three-run shot off FIU starter William Collazo to give the Bulls a 5-1 edge.

FIU (11-5) scored single runs in the third and fifth innings to close to 5-3 before the Bulls put up another run in the sixth without benefit of a hit. Junior Eric Huber (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) who missed the 2000 season due to a broken ankle, walked to open the inning. Huber moved to second on Corey Blair's (Oneida, NY/Oneida) sacrifice and third on Sanchez' fly out. Huber then scored on Tommy Duenas' passed ball to give the Bulls a 6-3 lead.

However in the bottom of the inning, the Golden Panthers put up five runs off losing pitcher John Sullivan (Buffalo, NY/Timon/St. Jude). FIU took the lead for good on Gus Alfonso's two-run double breaking the 6-6 tie. FIU then plated single runs in the seventh and eighth off relievers Mark Esposito (Fairport, NY/Fairport) and Nick Bellacose (Clarence, NY/Clarence).

The Bulls were held to just four hits, all in their five-run second inning. Collazo (5-0) struck out 12 in seven innings as the Bulls fanned 15 times in the contest.

UB then traveled to Homestead for a contest against Atlantic-10 member Duquesne. The Dukes picked up single runs in the first and sixth innings. Both runs were scored by Jason Startari.

The Bulls rallied with a run in the seventh as Huber scored on an RBI groundout by Brandon DiCesare (Rochester, NY/McQuaid Jesuit).

UB starter Anthony Puccia (Penfield, NY/Penfield) went 6.2 innings allowing just four hits and one earned run. He also struck out four.

The Bulls continue their Florida schedule with a 6:00 pm contest against Villanova in Homestead.