Two-Run Ninth Propels Bulls To Victory Over Falcons

Bulls improve MAC record to 10-12

Shivam Bhan

BOWLING GREEN, OH – The University at Buffalo baseball team scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning to erase a one-run deficit and walk away with a 2-1 victory, Friday afternoon at Warren Steller Field. With their victory in the series opener, the Bulls improved their record to 14-30 on the season and 10-12 in conference play.

The two teams were caught in a pitcher’s duel for most of the afternoon as UB starter Mike Radanovic (Surrey, British Columbia/L.A. Matheson) kept the BGSU offense off the board until the bottom of the seventh inning when he allowed a run. UB escaped further trouble as Zach Anderson (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville East) came on and pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless relief as UB entered the ninth inning down by one run.

Zach Anderson

With one out in the ninth inning, UB staged a comeback by scoring two runs to take the lead. Chris Ciesla (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) hit a single into right field and was replaced by E.J. Folli (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) as a pinch runner. After back-to-back walks to Eric Flynn (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Falls) and pinch hitter Tony Fuller (Rochester, NY/Penfield), the Bulls had the bases loaded for freshman Shivam Bhan (Calden, Ontario/Mayfield). Bhan then hit a slow roller to third base that the Bowling Green defense was unable to handle. The Falcon third basemen had to rush his throw to the plate and threw it past the catcher, scoring Folli and Flynn.

Sophomore Steve Geltz (Ransomville, NY/Wilson) came on in the bottom of the ninth inning, picking up his fifth save of the season. All five of Geltz’s saves have come in MAC play. Anderson picked up the win as he improved to 2-3 on the season. Radanovic picked up his second straight no decision as the pitching staff combined for six strikeouts.

Steve Geltz

The Bulls had six hits on the afternoon, including two from freshman Bobby Pizzuto (Mentor, OH/Notre Dame Cathedral) who improved his season-long hitting streak to 13 games.

The Bulls and Falcons will meet in the second game of their three-game series tomorrow with a 1:00 pm first pitch. The two teams wrap up the series on Sunday with first pitch also scheduled for 1:00 pm.

05/11/2007