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Bulls Split Final Two Games of Irish Classic

Jeffrey Hains

Against Texas-Pan American, the Bulls scored a run in the second inning to take an early lead. Chris Ciesla (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) singled to open the inning and scored on a double by Shivam Bhan (Caledon, Ontartio/Mayfield).

Rob Mancini

Buffalo scored again in the seventh, increasing the lead to 2-0. Bhan reached base on an error to begin the frame and scored on a RBI single by Rob Mancini (Windsor, Ontario/ St. Thomas). It was Mancini’s second hit of the contest.

Texas-Pan American got on the board with a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh. Jeffrey Hains (Mexico, NY/Mexico) got the start and pitched seven strong innings for the Bulls, picking up his first win of the season. Hains turned the game over to Zach Anderson (Williamsville, Williamsville East), who pitched a scoreless eighth and Steve Geltz (Ransomville, NY/Wilson) pitched a scoreless ninth, picking up his second save of the season.

Earlier in the day, Buffalo fell to Southern Illinois who opened the scoring a pair of runs in the first inning.

Buffalo immediately loaded the bases in the bottom of the first on singles by Brian Randazzo (St. Charles, MO/St. Charles) and E.J. Folli (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) and a walk to Jacob Rosenbeck (Medina, NY/Medina). After a wild pitch scored Randazzo, Ciesla walked, loading the bases again. Tony Fuller (Rochester, NY/Penfield) then got a RBI as he was hit by a pitch, scoring Folli. Southern Illinois induced a double play, but Rosenbeck scored on the play to give Buffalo a 3-2 lead.

The Salukis regained the lead with one run in the second and two in the third.

Brian Randazzo

Southern Illinois scored twice in the top of the seventh to take an 8-4 lead. But Buffalo began to chip away at that lead in the bottom of the seventh, scoring a run when Kevin McCall (Chagrin Falls, OH/Notre Dame Cathedral) drew a two-out walk and was driven in on a double by Randazzo.

The Bulls tied the game up with three runs in the bottom of the eighth. Rosenbeck doubled to open the inning and was driven in on a single by Ciesla. McCall then singled with the bases loaded, driving in Fuller and Ciesla to tie the game at eight apiece.

But Southern Illinois would take the lead for good in the ninth on a RBI single by Tyler Lairson.

Mike Stangroom (Fallston, MD/Calvert Hall) threw five innings in relief for the Bulls, striking out five while allowing just three hits and three runs, only one of which was earned.

Randazzo and Ciesla each had three hits for the Bulls against Southern Illinois

Buffalo will return to the diamond on Friday, March 21 when the Bulls host Northern Illinois in their home and conference opener. First pitch between UB and NIU is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. at Amherst Audubon Field.