Bulls Defeat Niagara in Home Opener, 10-6

Rosenbeck, Skonieczki and Fuller each drive in two runs for the Bulls

Adam Skonieczki

BUFFALO, NY – Making their first appearance of the season at Amherst Audubon Field, the University at Buffalo baseball team defeated local rival Niagara, 10-6. Jacob Rosenbeck (Medina, NY/Medina) had three hits for the Bulls and Adam Skonieczki (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) hit his second home run of the season as UB improved to 8-20 on the season.

Niagara opened the scoring in the first with a pair of runs. Cam Stykemain walked to open the inning and Andrew Macdonald followed with a double, both would eventually score on RBI ground outs for the Purple Eagles.

Buffalo answered with a run in the bottom of the first. Nick Walczak (Tonawanda, NY/Kenmore East) singled home Rosenbeck, who had singled earlier in the inning, to cut the Niagara lead in half.

Trevor Blair

After Niagara scored another run in the second, the Bulls scored three in the bottom of the frame to take a 4-3 lead. Trevor Blair (Oneida, NY/Oneida) singled and scored on a Brian Randazzo (St. Charles, MO/St. Charles) double to center for the first UB run of the inning. Randazzo then scored on a double down the left field line by Rosenbeck to tie the score and Buffalo took a lead when Rosenbeck scored on a single by Chris Ciesla (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott).

The Bulls scored another run in the bottom of the third to increase their lead to 5-3, but Niagara came back with two in the fourth to tie the game, 5-5.

Buffalo regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth when Skonieczki hit a two-run home run to left field, giving Buffalo a 7-5 advantage.

Tony Fuller

After Niagara scored a run in the sixth to pull within one, Tony Fuller (Rochester, NY/Penfield) increased the UB lead to 9-6 in the bottom of the seventh with a two-out double down the left field line, scoring Ciesla and Skonieczki.

The Bulls added a final run in the eighth when Rick Oliveri (Tonawanda, NY/Canisius) scored on a single to left field by Rosenbeck.

James Piazza

James Piazza (Amherst, NY/Williamsville North) picked up the win for the Bulls on the mound, he threw three innings, allowing one earned run while striking out three. Steve Geltz (Ransomville, NY/Wilson) pitched the final two innings for the Bulls, allowing no runs while striking out four to pick up his fourth save of the season.

Up next for Buffalo will be a weekend series at Western Michigan. First pitch between the Bulls and Broncos is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Friday, April 11 and 1:00 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

04/09/2008