Bulls Win Rubber Match Against Ohio, 13-10

UB pounds out 29 runs and 36 hits in the three-game series

Bobby Pizzuto

ATHENS, OH – The University at Buffalo baseball team won its second straight MAC series, defeating the host Ohio Bobcats, 13-10, in the rubber game of a three game series Sunday afternoon at Bob Wren Stadium. The victory improves UB’s record to 7-25 and 6-9 in MAC play. It is also the first time since UB has joined the MAC that it has won back-to-back conference series.

The Bulls got on the board early, scoring seven unanswered runs in the first three innings, putting up back-to-back three-run innings in the second and third. UB got its first run in the first inning as sophomore Chris Ciesla (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) doubled to right center, scoring Mike Folli (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott). In the second inning the Bulls loaded the bases with one out and scored their first run of the inning as Bobby Pizzuto (Mentor, OH/Notre Dame Cathedral) hit into a fielder’s choice as Rick Oliveri (Tonawanda, NY/Canisius) scored on an error by the Ohio catcher. Eric Flynn (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Falls) then drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. The Bulls furthered their lead as junior Nick Walczak (Tonawanda, NY/Kenmore East) drove in Folli with a single through the right side.

Oliveri and Flynn both drove in runs in the third inning and the Bulls used a second Ohio error to drive in their third run of the inning, taking the seven-run advantage. Ohio scored a run in the bottom of the fourth, but UB responded with four runs in the top of the sixth.

Rick Oliveri

The Bulls batted the order in the sixth inning and scored all four runs with two outs. Freshman Shivam Bhan (Calden, Ontario/Mayfield) drove in a run with a single and Pizzuto also drove in a run with a single to left field. The bases were loaded as Ohio changed pitchers. Flynn drew a walk to drive in one run and Walczak got hit by the pitch to drive in the fourth run of the inning.

Ohio did not go down quietly and made a game in the bottom of the seventh by scoring nine runs, making the lead just one as UB ended the seventh up 11-10. The Bulls responded in the top of the eighth inning as Pizzuto hit a one-out triple to drive in Bhan and increase the UB lead to two. UB scored one more insurance run in the top of the ninth inning as Oliveri hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Brad Agustin (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville East).

Adam Ruszkowski

Senior Adam Ruszkowski (Utica, NY/Proctor) picked up his first win of the season, pitching into the seventh inning. Sophomore Steve Geltz (Ransomville, NY/Wilson) closed out the game for the Bulls as he picked up his second save of the series and third save of the season.

Pizzuto led the way for UB by going 3-for-6 from the plate and drove in two runs. Flynn drove in three runs, while Walczak and Oliveri also drove in a pair. Oliveri remained a pain for Ohio all game, going 1-for-2 in the game, but walked three times. Each of the nine Buffalo starters picked up hits as UB hit 12 in the game and recorded 36 hits in the series.

The Bulls will take a break from conference play this week as they compete in the Big 4 Classic hosted by Niagara. The Bulls get started on Tuesday evening as they face St. Bonaventure at 7:00 pm. The championship round of the tournament will take place on Wednesday.

04/22/2007