James Kingsley

KENT, OH - The University at Buffalo baseball team dropped the final game of a three-game series to Kent State, 11-4, at Gene Michael Field on Sunday afternoon. The win completes the series sweep for the Golden Flashes.

The Bulls got on the board in the top of the first inning when James Kingsley (Medina, NY/Medina) doubled home Joe Mihalics (Tonawanda, NY/Timon/St. Jude) to give UB a 1-0 advantage. However, the lead was short-lived as Kent State answered with two runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 2-1 lead.

The Bulls cut the lead to 3-2 in the top of the third inning when Bryan Thrasher (Utica, NY/Proctor) scored on an RBI groundout by Andrew Wengert (Utica, NY/Proctor). Kent State scored twice in the fourth inning and three times in the fifth inning to take a 6-2 lead. In the bottom of the seventh inning, an RBI single by Will Vazquez and a two-run double by Andrew Davis extended the Kent State lead to 11-2.

Buffalo scored twice in the top of the eighth inning when an RBI single by Kingsley scored Thrasher and Wengert later crossed the plate on a fielders choice. However, it wasn't enough to top the Golden Flashes.

Eric Kelly (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca East) was charged with the loss after allowing eight runs over five innings. Kent State starter Evan Smith pitched seven strong innings, allowing one run on five hits, striking out six and not walking a batter.

The Bulls were held to eight hits on the afternoon. Kingsley and Mihalics tallied three hits and two hits, respectively.

The loss dropped the Bulls to 11-28 overall and 3-10 in the MAC. Kent State improved to 24-21 overall and 10-8 in the conference. UB will return home for a game against Pittsburgh on Tuesday afternoon at Amherst Audubon Field.