UB Splits with Duquesne

The Bulls split a doubleheader with Duquesne in their first games at Dunn Tire Park this season. The Dukes took the opener 7-2 and UB came back to take the nightcap 6-5.

In the second game, Bryan Sanchez (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) hit a two-run home run to spark a Bulls comeback. Mark Esposito (Fairport, NY/Fairport) got the win in relief, pitching 4.0 innings and giving up just one hit to pick up his first career victory.

Bulls Drop Two Against Canisius

Canisius avenged an earlier season defeat to UB, sweeping a doubleheader at Dunn Tire Park. The Golden Griffins won the first game 3-0 behind a complete game shutout from starting pitcher Mark West. Kevin Brown (Amherst, NY/Amherst Central) got two of the Bulls' four hits in that game.

In the second game, UB got out to an early lead but couldn't hold on. Scott Mruczek (Rochester, NY/Greece Athena) connected on his second home run of the season, a two-run shot off the left field foul pole to give UB an early lead. Canisius would come back and score the go-ahead run in the top of the sixth inning and go on to win 8-5.

Record Chasers

There are a couple of UB players who have moved into the school's single season record book and a few more looking to move into the ranks as well.

Bryan Sanchez has hit six home runs on the year, good for a tie for tenth best total in a single season. The single season record is nine, accomplished by three players. Jeff Robertson (Kenmore NY, Kenmore West) has recorded three saves this year, the second highest single season total in UB history. He needs just two more to break the school record.

In addition to those two, Kevin Brown is closing in on the top ten for most hits in a season. He currently leads the team with 38 hits. He needs to reach 53 to move into the top ten.

At the Plate

Junior Kevin Brown continues to lead the Bulls from the plate, hitting .339 (38-for-112) on the year. His 38 hits are a team-high as well. Bryan Sanchez has a team-high seven doubles and Kevin Brown and Adrian Daniels (Spencerport, NY/Spencerport) have two triples each.

Bryan Sanchez leads the team in power, as he has collected six home runs on the season and leads the team with 22 RBIs as well. His six homers puts him in a tie for tenth place for home runs in a season in the UB record books. The season record is nine, set by three players.

Playing the Fundamentals

One area of the game the Bulls have excelled at in particular this season is bunting. UB has recorded 21 sacrifice bunts this year compared to just nine by their opponents. The Bulls have also hit 11 sacrifice flies. Brandon DiCesare (Rochester, NY/McQuaid Jesuit) leads the team with five sacrifice bunts, and DiCesare and Bryan Sanchez lead the team with three sacrifice flies each.

Freshman Leads the Pitching Stats

Freshman right-hander Tyler Balentine (Mendon, NY/Honeoye Falls-Lima) leads the UB pitching staff this season in wins and earned run average. Balentine currently has a 3-1 record, and is tied with Tom Januchowski (Depew, NY/Lancaster) for the team high with three wins. Balentine also leads the Bulls in earned run average at 3.81, having given up 12 earned runs over 28.1 innings. He has one complete game to his credit this year and has struck out 13 batters. Januchowski leads the staff with 39 strikeouts on the year.

The Week Ahead

UB will travel to play at St. Bonaventure on Tuesday, April 25, for a 2 pm doubleheader. The Bulls and Bonnies were rained out in their earlier scheduled meeting in Buffalo.

The Bulls will host LeMoyne in a doubleheader on Thursday, April 27. This is a makeup for the April 13 doubleheader that was rained out in Buffalo and instead played at LeMoyne. First game starts at 1 pm at Dunn Tire Park.

UB then travels to Albany this weekend for doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday. Albany swept a doubleheader from UB at Rochester, NY, winning 7-5 and 9-8.