Bulls Capture Second Win over #23 Kent State

Bulls tie mark for most wins in a season since reinstatement in 2000

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo baseball team captured its second consecutive win over the 23rd nationally-ranked Kent State Golden Flashes on Saturday afternoon at the Amherst Audubon Field, 10-6. With the day’s victory, the Bulls take a 2-0 lead in the Mid-American Conference home series versus Kent State while tying the mark for most wins in a season (19) since the program’s reinstatement in 2000.

Chris Ciesla

Following two innings, the Golden Flashes established a 3-0 lead with two of their three runs coming in the second inning.

With runners on first and second, the Bulls went on the scoreboard in the top of the third. Chris Ciesla dropped a bloop single in right field to drive in Eric Flynn from second.

Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth, the Bulls erased the Golden Flashes’ lead with a three-run inning. The Bulls started the inning with the bases loaded off a single by River McWilliams, sandwiched between two walks. Adam Skonieczki slid a three-RBI double down the left field line, clearing the bases for the Bulls with Skonieczki reaching third off the intended play at home to put the Bulls in the lead 4-3.

Adam Skonieczki

Heading into the bottom of the fifth with the game tied at 4-4, the Bulls captured the lead for good off a pair of runs. The first came off a wild pitch by Kent State’s Robert Sabo with Ciesla racing home to break the tie at 5-4. The Bulls managed to add a second run off a RBI single to left field by Brad Cochrane, scoring McWilliams for a 6-4 Buffalo lead.

The Bulls remained in the lead heading into the bottom of the sixth despite a solo shot by KSU's Brad Winter, cutting the Bulls’ lead in half to 6-5 in the top half of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, the Bulls extended their lead to 8-5 off two runs including an RBI single by Brian Randazzo.

Kevin Crumb

Kevin Crumb made quick work of Kent State in the top of the eighth as Travis Shaw was gunned down at third by a relay throw by Randazzo. The inning ended as Jared Humphreys lined back to the mound.

The Bulls closed their 10-run scoring effort with two runs in the bottom of the eighth off a botched throw following a sacrifice fly by Randazzo. The botched throw allowed two runners to score to put the Bulls in a commanding 10-5 lead.

In the top of the ninth, Kent State managed to add a run to its total to put the score at 10-6. With runners on the corners, Crumb left Kent State’s Jason Patton swinging to seal the Bulls' victory.

Mike Stangroom

The Bulls received a strong pitching effort from starter Mike Stangroom and relievers Jesse Reinstein and Crumb. Stangroom (3-2) collected the win for the Bulls in 5.0 innings of work, striking out three batters. In 1.1 innings of work, Reinstein struck out two batters while Crumb picked up his second save of the season in 2.2 innings of work, striking out three batters.

Ciesla went 3-for-4 with an RBI single and a team-high three runs scored. Skonieczki and Randazzo tied for a game-high three RBIs with Randazzo counting for two runs. Cochrane and McWilliams went 2-for-4 with Cochrane driving in two runs while Flynn went 2-for-3.

The Bulls (19-26, 6-13 MAC) will look to complete their first series sweep of a conference opponent since the 2005 season as they finish their conference home series versus Kent State on Sunday, May 3 with the first pitch set for 2:00 pm. Please note the time change of the first pitch.