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BUFFALO, NY - On Tuesday, April 27 the battle for the Bisons Cup will commence as the inaugural Big Four Baseball Classic will get underway at Dunn Tire Park - home of the Buffalo Bisons. Buffalo and Niagara will face off in the first game at 3 pm. Canisius and St. Bonaventure will play in game two. On Wednesday, April 28, the consolation game will be played at 3 pm with the championship game to immediately follow.

Tickets to the event are free and seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Fans are asked to enter the stadium at the Washington Street entrance.

Buffalo, under the direction of fifth-year head coach Bill Breene, is 10-24 overall and 3-7 in the Mid-American Conference. The Bulls are led by Joe Mihalics (Tonawanda, NY/Timon/St. Jude) who is hitting .387 with three home runs and 20 RBIs. Andrew Wengert (Utica, NY/Proctor) is hitting .347 and James Kingsley (Medina, NY/Medina) has five home runs and a team-high 27 RBIs. On the mound, Chris McGraw (Summerville, SC/Stratford) is 2-4 with a 5.63 ERA and a team-best 33 strikeouts. The Bulls have won three of their last four games.

Canisius, led by third-year head coach Mark Notaro, is 2-28 overall and 2-12 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The Golden Griffins are led by Kevin Smith who is hitting .298 with three home runs and 15 RBIs. Gabe Baida is also hitting .298 for the Griffs. Kevin Seitz is Canisius' top pitcher with a 1-1 record and a 4.58 ERA.

Niagara, led by third-year head coach Mike McRae, is 14-18 overall and 8-4 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The Purple Eagles are led by Reed Eastly who is hitting .319 with six home runs and 30 RBIs. Mike Alati sports a team-best .344 batting average. On the mound, Josh Sawatzky has started eight games and is 3-4 with a 3.91 ERA.

St. Bonaventure, led by 19th-year head coach Larry Sudbrook, is 15-16 overall and 6-6 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The Bonnies are led by Eric Wilson who is hitting .378 with 10 doubles and 23 RBIs. Matt Marduesz is hitting .330 with five home runs and 33 RBIs - both team highs. Matt Agostonelli is 4-2 with a 5.23 ERA.

Digicon Imaging Inc., a local full-service visual communications company, has signed on as a co-sponsor for the event, along with the Buffalo Bisons.