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Brian Zelasko

BUFFALO, NY - Buffalo rallied, but fell to Niagara, 11-10, in the opening game of the Big Four Baseball Classic played at Dunn Tire Park on Tuesday afternoon. Trailing 10-2 after seven innings, the Bulls scored four runs in the eighth inning and after the Purple Eagles scored a run in the bottom of the eighth, scored four more runs in the ninth inning. However, it wasn't enough as Niagara staved off the Buffalo comeback to advance to the championship game on Wednesday night.

A three-run home run by Reed Eastley, in the bottom of the first inning, gave Niagara a 3-0 lead. The Purple Eagles added two more runs in the bottom of the second inning to go up 5-0. Brian Zelasko (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) scored on an error and James Kingsley (Medina, NY/Medina) singled home Al Barbato (Utica, NY/Whitesboro) to cut the Niagara lead to 5-2.

The Purple Eagles scored twice in the fifth inning, once in the sixth inning and twice in the seventh inning to take a 10-2 lead. After working the bases loaded, Bryan Thrasher (Utica, NY/Proctor) stepped to the plate and cleared the bases with a three-run triple. Zelasko followed with an RBI single to cut the Purple Eagles' lead to 10-6.

An RBI single by Paul Solini in the bottom of the eighth inning gave Niagara an 11-6 lead and the run proved to be very important. The Bulls' four-run ninth started with a double by Chris McGraw (Summerville, SC/Stratford) that scored Andrew Wengert (Utica, NY/Proctor). David Amaro (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) followed with an RBI double. Amaro later scored on a passed ball. Phil Vanhorne (Scarborough, Ontario/Mother Teresa), who reached on a single, scored the Bulls' fourth run of the inning following an RBI groundout by Zelasko. However, Niagara closer Kyle Nicoletta struck out Barbato to end the Bulls' threat and the game.

Eric Kelly (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca East) was charged with the loss after allowing four earned runs over two innings. Ryan Virtue allowed one earned run over seven innings to pick up the win for Niagara.

The Bulls collected 12 hits on the afternoon. Wengert, Kingsley, McGraw, Amaro and Zelasko each had two hits for UB.

The loss means that the Bulls will face the loser of the Canisius/St. Bonaventure game in the consolation game of the Big Four Baseball Classic on Wednesday afternoon at Dunn Tire Park. First pitch is slated for 3 pm.