Bulls Fall in Extra Innings to Ohio

Ciesla becomes all-time single-season record holder for most runs scored (49), total bases (119) and at bats (219)

ATHENS, OH – The University at Buffalo baseball team opened their final conference series by falling to Ohio, 6-5 in 11 innings on Thursday evening. The Bulls took the Bobcats the distance with the game being decided by a walk-off home run to start the bottom of the 11th.

Adam Skonieczki

The Bobcats scored the first run of the game as Gauntlett Eldemire sent a lead-off home run over the left-center wall. Two batters later, Marc Krauss extended the Bobcats’ lead to 2-0 with a solo shot to center field.

In the top of the second, the Bulls tied the game at 2-2 with one swing of the bat as Adam Skonieczki crushed his second home run of the season over the left-center wall, driving in Chris Ciesla.

Chris Ciesla

Facing two outs and runners on first and second, the Bulls captured a 3-2 lead in the top of the fourth off a fielding error at first base, allowing River McWilliams to score.

Trailing 4-3 in the top of the seventh, the Bulls recaptured the lead with a pair of runs. Ciesla tied the game at 4-4 as he slid an RBI base hit through the right side. Next up, Rob Lawler dropped an RBI double into right-center field, driving in Ciesla for the Bulls’ 5-4 lead. Ciesla’s tally placed him in the lead for most runs scored in a single-season by a Bull (49).

The Bobcats tied the game at 5-5 in the bottom half of the seventh off a Bulls’ wild pitch.

River McWilliams

The game headed into extra innings with the Bobcats capturing the series opening victory in the bottom of the 11th as Eldemire led the Bobcats off in the inning with a walk-off home run.

Despite striking out four batters in 4.0 innings of relief work, Kevin Crumb (0-1) recorded the Bulls’ loss.

Ciesla went 3-for-5 with a pair of runs and an RBI. McWilliams went 2-for-4 with a run scored.

The Bulls (20-33, 6-18 MAC) will face conference opponent Ohio in game two of the Bulls’ final conference series on Friday, May 15 with the first pitch set for 6:00 pm.