Phil Vanhorne

ST. BONAVENTURE, NY - The Buffalo baseball team split a doubleheader with St. Bonaventure at McGraw-Jennings Field on Wednesday afternoon. The Bonnies shut out the Bulls, 8-0, in game one while the Bulls rebounded to take game two, 4-3.

In the opener, St. Bonaventure pitcher Mike Proctor tossed a complete-game shutout. He allowed just six hits and struck out four. James Kingsley (Medina, NY/Medina) and Phil Vanhorne (Scarborough, Ontario/Mother Teresa) each had a pair of hits for UB. The Bonnies took control of the game in the fourth inning when they scored five runs. Sean McWilliams (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua) was charged with the loss after allowing six runs over 3.1 innings. Freshman Adam Ruszkowsi (Utica, NY/Proctor), making his first appearance in 10 games, pitched two innings of hitless relief.

In game two, the Bulls jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. David Amaro (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) drove home Vanhorne on a single and Joe Mihalics (Tonawanda, NY/Timon/St. Jude) later crossed the plate following a wild pitch. UB added two more runs in the top of the third inning on a two-run single by Bryan Thrasher (Utica, NY/Proctor) .

After getting on the board with a run in the bottom of fourth inning, the Bonnies made it interesting by scoring two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to cut the UB lead to 4-3. However, with the bases loaded and one out, Eric Kelly (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca East) struck out the final two batters to end the threat and pick up the first save of his career. Chris McGraw (Summerville, SC/Stratford) allowed one run and struck out four over four innings to earn his first win of the season.

Buffalo is now 8-23 on the season. St. Bonaventure evens its record at 13-13. The Bulls will next play a weekend series at Ohio beginning on Friday, April 23.