Baseball Weekly Release

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Jacob Rosenbeck

Defeat Akron to Capture Conference Series Win

Buffalo rallied in the top of the ninth to defeat Akron, 6-4, in the opening contest of their conference road series on Friday afternoon at Lee Jackson Field.

Trailing for the second time in the contest, 4-2, Buffalo erupted for four runs in the top of the ninth recapture the advantage. The Bulls would take a 5-4 lead off a two-RBI double by senior shortstopJacob Rosenbeck to right center followed by an RBI single by senior centerfielder Adam Skonieczki to secure the 6-4 lead. Closer Kevin Crumb forced the Zips to go three up, three down in the bottom of the ninth to record his fourth save of the year, tying Bill Casbolt (1977) and Mike Klym (1974) for third on the UB single-season record list for most saves. With six career saves, Crumb moves into a tie for third with Casbolt (1974-77).

On Saturday afternoon, the Bulls recorded their second series win of the season as they captured a 9-8 victory in 10-innings followed by a 7-6 loss in the nightcap. The Bulls’ extra-inning opening victory over the Zips, tied the record for most wins in a season (20) since the program’s reinstatement in 2000.

Kevin Crumb

Heading into the top of the ninth in the opener, Buffalo trailed Akron, 8-6. With senior left fielder Bobby Pizzuto reaching first off a base hit, Rosenbeck belted a two-run shot to deep right to tie the contest at 8-8 for his fifth home run of the season.

Following an unsuccessful chance by the Zips to capture the lead in the bottom of the ninth, the Bulls took an advantage of their opportunity by capturing a 9-8 lead in the top of the 10th. With runners on first and second, senior second baseman Brad Agustindropped an RBI base hit into right field for the 9-8 lead. The Zips’ hope of a rally in the bottom of the 10th came short as they went three up, three down to end the contest.

In the nightcap, Buffalo managed to rally from a 4-1 deficit to take a 6-4 lead through seven innings. The Zips scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth to capture a 7-6 lead and eventual victory.

Brad Agustin

Swept by Le Moyne in Pair of Pitching Duel Contests

In a midweek doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon at Dick Rockwell Field, the Bulls were swept by Le Moyne, 2-0 and 2-1, respectively. In a pair of pitching duel games, the Bulls and Dolphins recorded only five total runs off 16 total hits. For the day, the two pitching staffs combined for 20 strikeouts in the pair of seven-inning matchups.

Agustin Shatters Second Career Record

Agustin continues to make UB baseball history as he became the career leader for most games played (195) through Saturday afternoon’s nightcap against Akron. In the opening contest of UB’s non-conference doubleheader versus St. Bonaventure on April 13, Agustin became the program’s all-time career leader for runs scored (137) with his current total rising to 158 since breaking the record. With 232 career hits, Agustin is only two away from becoming the UB all-time career hits leader.

Bobby Pizzuto

On Deck: Ohio

This week, the Bulls do not have any mid-week games scheduled and will return to conference action on Friday, May 7 when they face Ohio (14-29, 7-11 MAC) in a three-game weekend series with the opening pitch at 6:00 pm.

Buffalo enters the series with an all-time record of 11-17-1. The tie came in 2005 as the Bulls and the Bobcats played to a 13-inning 8-8 stalemate with the game called due to persistant rain.

Last season, the Bulls were swept by the Bobcats in their weekend conference road series. Last season, UB opened its final conference series by falling to Ohio, 6-5 in 11 innings off a walk-off home run to start the inning. In the doubleheader on Friday, Buffalo held a commanding lead heading into the bottom of the ninth in the opener until the Bobcats erupted for five runs including their second walk-off home run in the series to capture a 12-11 victory. In the nightcap, the Bulls fell to the Bobcats, 19-8.