Bulls Swept by Miami (OH) in Conference Weekend Series

Nine-run ninth inning rally falls short in opener of doubleheader

OXFORD, OH - The University at Buffalo baseball team was swept by Miami (OH) in Saturday's conference doubleheader with the Bulls dropping each contest, 18-15 and 11-0. Trailing 18-6 in the top of the ninth, the Bulls' bats turned hot for a nine-run rally with the Bulls falling short in the end. Combined with the RedHawks' 15-9 victory on Friday, the RedHawks swept the Bulls in the conference weekend series.

Chris Ciesla

In the top of the second inning in the opener, the Bulls cut into the RedHawks' 2-0 lead with a lead-off home run by Chris Ciesla.

Following the RedHawks leap out to a 6-2 lead in the bottom of the third inning, the Bulls tied the game at 6-6. With the bases loaded, the Bulls scored four runs off consecutive plays including two runs walked in, a RBI single to center field by Devin Greeno and a sacrifice fly by Adam Skonieczki.

Following four scoreless innings by the Bulls, the RedHawks pushed their lead to 18-6 heading into the top of the eighth.

Rob Lawler

In the top of the ninth, the Bulls' bats turned hot with the RedHawks using five pitchers in the single inning. Ciesla added to his RBI total with a two-RBI liner up the middle followed by an RBI single along the left-field line by Rob Lawler. The Bulls continued to add to their run total when Skonieczki poked an RBI single through the right side. Brad Agustin closed the Bulls' scoring in their nine-run ninth inning rally with a two-RBI single to right field. The next two batters struck out looking, ending the Bulls' chances to pull off a ninth inning rally for the win.

Starter Pierre Miville-Deschenes (4-3) recorded the loss for the Bulls.

Ciesla went 3-for-6 including a solo-home run and team-highs with three RBIs and three runs. Lawler went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.

Brad Agustin

In the nightcap, the Bulls were held scoreless with the RedHawks scoring in each inning for an 11-0 victory, sweeping the Bulls in the conference weekend series. 

Starter Mike Stangroom (1-2) returned to the mound in the Bulls' loss following close to a month-long absence. Stangroom's last pitch came on March 20 versus conference opponent Northern Illinois.

Brad Cochrane went 1-for-1 with two walks. Agustin went 1-for-2 with a single and two walks.

The Bulls (14-23, 3-11 MAC) will continue their two-week road trip as they face Big Four rival Niagara on Wednesday, April 22 in a non-conference matchup with the first pitch set for 4:00 pm.