Bulls Clinch First Ever Spot in Big Four Classic Championship with Victory over St. Bonaventure

Bulls set a season-high seven doubles

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo baseball team will be competing for its first Big Four Classic championship as they defeated St. Bonaventure, 14-5 in the opening round at the Amherst Audubon Field on Tuesday evening. Although playing at home, the roles were reversed as the Bulls batted first, which allowed the Bulls to establish the lead in the top of the first while continually building on it for the win.

Chris Ciesla

With a 1-0 lead following two innings, the Bulls extended their lead to 6-0 with a five-run third inning. Leading the Bulls’ offensive attack in the top of the third was Brian Randazzo with a three-RBI double drilled up the middle, out of the reach of the Bonnies’ centerfielder.

In the top of the fourth, the Bulls furthered their lead to 8-0 off an RBI single by Chris Ciesla followed by a perfectly placed RBI double to left center by Rob Lawler.

Brian Randazzo

Trailing 9-1 in the bottom of the fifth, the Bonnies garnered three runs to cut the Bulls’ lead to 9-4.

The Bulls answered back with three runs of their own to pull ahead 12-4 in the top of the sixth. Two of the Bulls’ three runs came off a Bonnies’ throwing error at first, allowing Lawler and Ciesla to score.

In the top of the eighth, the Bulls closed their 14-run effort with two runs with the Bonnies adding a run in the bottom of the ninth. The Bonnies closed their offensive efforts in the ninth off three ground outs to second as Randazzo completed the 4-3 to Lawler.

Dan Francis

In 2.0 innings of work, reliever Dan Francis (2-1) recorded his second win on the mound, striking out three batters along his way to victory. The Bulls pitching staff held the Bonnies to seven hits. In relief work, Pierre Miville-Deschenes struck out three of the four batters he faced in his seventh-inning appearance.

Ciesla and Randazzo led the Bulls at the plate by going 3-for-4. Randazzo recorded a team-high four RBIs while Ciesla tied a team-high three runs scored. As a team, the Bulls set a season-high seven doubles.

The Bulls (17-25, 4-13 MAC) will face Canisius in the Big Four Classic championship on Wednesday, April 29 at the Demske Sports Complex with the first pitch set for 6:00 pm.