Bulls Fall in Series Opener to Bowling Green

Chris Ciesla collects three hits to break all-time single-season hitting record (78)

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo baseball team was unable to overcome a quick start by Bowling Green as the Bulls fell to the Falcons 21-6 in the conference weekend series opener at the Amherst Audubon Field on Friday afternoon. Despite the Bulls' loss, designated hitter Chris Ciesla broke the all-time single-season record for most hits as he collected three hits on the day including his team-leading 17th double of the season.

Through one and a half innings, Bowling Green jumped out to a 10-0 lead including four RBI-base hits and back-to-back home runs.

Rob Lawler

In the bottom of the third, Brad Agustin put the Bulls on the board with a solo-shot to left center, his fifth home run of the season. The Bulls continued to chisel away at the Falcons' lead as Rob Lawler crushed the ball to deep-center field facing a three-two count with two outs for a two-run home run following Ciesla's double down the left-field line. With the bases loaded, the Bulls managed to score their fourth run of the inning off a walk by Bobby Pizzuto to cut the Falcons' lead back to 10-4.

Facing two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Lawler unloaded on the first pitch he faced from Bowling Green's Brennan Smith for his second two-run home run of the day with Ciesla on first following his record breaking base hit. With Lawler's fifth home run of the season, the Bulls cut the Falcons' lead down to 10-6.

In the remaining five innings, Bowling Green scored 11 unanswered runs en route to their 21-6 victory over the Bulls.

Chris Ciesla

Pierre Miville-Deschenes (4-5) recorded the Bulls' loss in 1.0 innings of work.

Ciesla went 3-for-5 with two runs scored, which moves him into second place in the all-time single-season list for most runs scored (45). He also moves into second place in the all-time single-season list for most total bases (111).

Lawler went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and four RBIs off two home runs. Lawler's two home runs in the contest ties the program mark for most home runs in a single-game.

The Bulls (20-29, 6-15 MAC) will return to the Amherst Audubon Field on Saturday, May 9 as they compete in the second game of their weekend conference series verus Bowling Green with the first pitch set for 1:00 pm.