ATHENS, OH - In a display of offenses that included nine home runs, the University at Buffalo suffered a 24-9 loss to Ohio University in the opener of a four-game Mid-American Conference series at Bob Wren Stadium in Athens, Ohio. The Bulls put together a season-high 18 hits in the game, but also allowed season-highs in runs and hits (25) to the Bobcats. UB is now 10-18 overall and 2-11 in the league. Ohio is 14-20 and 3-9.

Bryan Sanchez

UB jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the third as Brandon DiCesare (Rochester, NY/McQuaid Jesuit) belted his first home run of the season, a two-run shot to right center scoring Phil Vanhorne (Scarborough, Ontario/Mother Teresa) ahead of him. The Bulls missed an opportunity to add to the lead as Bryan Sanchez (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.

Ohio took a 3-2 lead in the bottom half of the frame as Jason Shockey hit a three-run homer. Shockey would finish the day 4-of-5 at the plate with six RBIs and three runs scored. The Bobcats added four runs in the fourth as Omari Briscoe hit a three-run homer and Shockey knocked in Brandon Wheeler for a 7-2 margin.

The Bulls closed the gap in the fifth as Sanchez scored on a double by Eric Huber (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park). Adrian Daniels (Spencerport, NY/Spencerport) followed with a two-run homer, his second of the season, for a 7-5 score.

However, the Bobcats would score 11 runs on nine hits and two UB errors in the bottom of the fifth to put the game away. Ben Crabtree and Greg Meyer hit three-run homers and Adam Fox added a two-run blast in the uprising. Ohio would also score two runs in each of its final three at-bats.

UB scored three runs in the eighth on a solo home run by Corey Blair (Oneida, NY/Oneida), his second of the season, and a two-run double by Sanchez. The Bulls scored the final run of the game in the ninth as Vanhorne was hit by a Dan O'Rourke pitch with the bases loaded to force home Jordan Alcott (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South). Vanhorne and John Boom (London, Ontario/Catholic Central) were each hit twice by pitches.

The Bulls committed four errors in the game, accounting for eight unearned runs crossing the plate. UB starter Brendan Dunford (Buffalo, NY/Timon/St. Jude) (3-6) suffered the loss on the mound while O'Rourke (2-1) went the final 4.1 innings to pick up the win in relief of starter Chris Bova who did not pitch the necessary five innings to qualify for a victory.

Sanchez led the offense for the Bulls with a 4-for-5 day with a run scored and two driven in. Huber went 3-for-4, while Joe Mihalics (Tonawanda, NY/Timon/St. Jude), Vanhorne, Daniels and Blair each added a pair of hits. Vanhorne also swiped two bases to give him a team-high 11.

The Bulls and Bobcats meet in a doubleheader Saturday starting at 1:00 p.m.