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Joe Mihalics

BUFFALO, NY ­ Buffalo (13-28, 4-13) split a doubleheader with Ohio (26-19, 9-10) on Saturday afternoon at Amherst Audubon Field. The Bulls rallied to take game one, 4-3, but fell in the nightcap, 9-7.

In game one, Ohio held a 1-0 lead for the first six innings of a seven inning game. Bobcat first baseman Anthony Gressick launched a two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning to give Ohio a 3-0 lead. Despite being held to only two hits through the first six innings, the Bulls rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh to win the game. Bryan Sanchez (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) started the rally by getting hit by a pitch. Kevin Nesteruk (Cheektowaga, NY/West Seneca East) followed with a single. Brandon DiCesare (Rochester, NY/McQuaid Jesuit) ripped an RBI single that scored Sanchez. After a sacrifice bunt by Adrian Daniels (Spencerport, NY/Spencerport) moved the runners to second and third, Bryan Zelasko (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) came through with a clutch two-out, two-run single that scored DiCesare and pinch runner John Boom (London, Ontario/Catholic Central). After a Phil Vanhorne (Scarborough, Ontario/Mother Teresa) single advanced Zelasko to second, Joe Mihalics (Tonawanda, NY/Timon/St. Jude) followed with a single down the right field line that scored Zelasko for the game winner.

Nick Bellacose (Clarence, NY/Clarence) pitched well and got the win for UB. The junior hurler went the distance, allowing three runs on nine hits and striking out three. Ohio starter Walt Novosel also tossed a complete game, but was charged with the loss.

Ohio jumped out to a 9-2 lead in game two, and defused another UB rally to hold on for a 9-7 victory. After scoring twice in the top of the first inning, Buffalo answered with a run in the bottom of the first when DiCesare scored on a wild pitch. The Bobcats scored once in the second, twice in the third and three times in the fourth to take a commanding 8-1 lead. An RBI single by Nesteruk, in the bottom of the fourth inning, scored Mihalics to cut the lead to 8-2.

After Ohio scored an unearned run in the top fifth inning, the Bulls scored five unanswered runs to cut the lead to 9-7. The Bulls scored two runs in the sixth on an RBI double by Daniels and an RBI single Boom and three runs in the seventh on a wild pitch that scored Vanhorne, an RBI single by Nesteruk and a sacrifice fly by Jordan Alcott (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South). However, Ohio reliever Chris Bova came in and shut the door on a second Bulls' comeback.

Jeff Loveys (Woodstock, Ontario/College Avenue SS) pitched admirably for the Bulls after entering the game in the fourth inning for a struggling Mark McMahon (West Seneca, NY/Timon/St. Jude). The freshman hurler allowed only two hits and didn't give up an earned run over six innings. Rob Harmon picked up the win for Ohio.

The series will conclude with a single game on Sunday at 1 pm at Audubon Field.