Bryan Sanchez

BUFFALO, NY ­ Buffalo (6-17) made the short trip across town and split a doubleheader with Canisius (2-17) on Wednesday afternoon at the Demske Sports Complex. The Bulls won the first game, 2-1, and the Griffs came back to take the nightcap, 3-2.

The Bulls were held to three hits in game one, but made the best of their opportunities. Canisius jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning as Matt VanGeene ripped an RBI double. Bryan Sanchez (Canandiagua, NY/Canandiagua Academy) launched his team-best third home run of the season in the fifth inning to tie the game, 1-1.

The Bulls went ahead in the top of the seven inning when pinch runner James Kingsley (Medina, NY/Medina) scored on an RBI single by Andrew Wengert (Utica, NY/Proctor). Reliever James Mantzanis (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) entered the game in the seventh and slammed the door on the Griffs to pick up his second save of the season.

The Bulls used four pitchers in the game and Dustin Clark (Adams Center, NY/South Jefferson) pitched two innings of shutout ball to pick up his second win of the year. Harpreet Padda went the distance for Canisius and allowed two runs on three hits, but was credited with the loss.

Buffalo's bats were quieted again in game two as the Bulls managed only five hits. This time, however, UB came up one short in the run column. The Bulls managed to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning when John Boom (London, Ontario/Catholic Central) scored on a Canisius error. The Griffs answered in the bottom of the second when Ishmael Cox scored an unearned run following a groundout to the pitcher to tie the game.

Canisius took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single by VanGeene. The Bulls tied the game in the fifth inning when pinch runner Clint McKeever (Antwerp, NY/Indian River) scored on an RBI groundout by Phil Vanhorne (Scarborough, Ontario/Mother Teresa). However, Canisius would add a run in the bottom of the fifth and hold on for the 3-2 victory.

As in game one, UB used four pitchers in the nightcap. Buffalo hurlers held the Griffs to only four hits and two earned runs. Jeff Loveys (Woodstock, Ontario/College Avenue Secondary School) got the loss for Buffalo. Ryan Topping tossed a complete game for Canisius to earn the win.

The Bulls will next play a weekend series against Marshall at Amherst Audubon Field. The teams will play a doubleheader on both Saturday and Sunday at 1 pm.