Bulls Fall to Ohio, 6-3

Shivam Bhan collects two hits and two RBIs for the Bulls

Shivam Bhan

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo baseball team dropped the opening game of their three-game Mid-American Conference series against Ohio, 6-3, on Thursday afternoon at Amherst Audubon Field. Brian Randazzo (St. Charles, MO/St. Charles) and Shivam Bhan (Caledon, Ontario/Mayfield) each had a pair of hits for the Bulls.

Ohio got on the board first, scoring a run in the second and two more in the third. Zach Hartle hit a two-out RBI single to right to open the scoring for the Bobcats in the second. Marc Krauss singled in Matt Stiffler for Ohio's first run in the third inning, Jeremie Rehak scored the second run of the frame for the Bobcats on a double play.

Buffalo tied the game with a three-run sixth. Randazzo drew a one-out walk and Adam Skonieczki (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) followed with a single through the left side. The Bulls then loaded the bases as Nick Walczak (Tonawanda, NY/Kenmore East) reached on a fielder's choice and an error by the Ohio shortstop prevented an out from being made at second base. Jacob Rosenbeck (Medina, NY/Medina) drew a walk, driving in the first run of the game for UB, and Bhan followed with a two RBI single to center field to tie the game.

Brian Randazzo

After a scoreless seventh and eighth, Ohio broke the deadlock with three runs in the top of the ninth. Hartle started the Ohio rally with a one-out double to right center, he advance to third on a groundout. Stiffler was then intentionally walked. Rehak gave Ohio the lead with a perfectly executed squeeze bunt that went for a base hit and scored Hartle. Krauss and Brandon Besl then each followed with RBI singles for the Bobcats.

Mike Stangroom (Fallston, MD/Calvert Hall) started on the mound for the Bulls and threw seven solid innings, allowing three runs while striking out five and walking just one.

With the loss, Buffalo falls to 13-37 on the year, 6-18 in the MAC.

The Bulls and the Bobcats will return to action on Friday for the second game of their three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

05/15/2008