Late Rally Pushes Bulls Past Bobcats, 5-4

Buffalo scores four in the ninth to force extra innings and wins with a run in the tenth

Shivam Bhan

BUFFALO, NY – Trailing by four runs in the bottom of the ninth, the University at Buffalo baseball team scored four runs to force extra innings and scored again in the tenth to knock off Ohio, 5-4, on Friday afternoon at Amherst Audubon Field. Brian Randazzo (St. Charles, MO/St. Charles) singled home Shivam Bhan (Caledon, Ontario/Mayfield) for the game-winning run for the Bulls.

Ohio took a lead in the fourth on a two-run homer to right field by Marc Krauss. The Bobcats added another run on a single by Trace Voshell in the fifth to take a 3-0 lead.

In the seventh, Ohio had a chance to add to their lead, but Jeffrey Hains (Mexico, NY/Mexico) came out of the bullpen for UB and spoiled the Bobcat rally. With runners on second and third and nobody out, Hains induced a groundout, a strike out looking and a pop out to end the inning without allowing a run.

Buffalo starting pitcher Chaz Mye (North Tonawanda, NY/St. Joseph's) threw sixth solid innings, allowing just three runs while striking out three.

Adam Skonieczki

Ohio added a run to their lead in the top of the ninth, Zach Keen singled home Jeremie Rehak to give Ohio a 4-0 advantage.

The Buffalo bats came alive in the bottom of the ninth, scoring four runs to force extra innings. Bhan led off the inning with a single to center, he scored one batter later when Charlie Karstedt (Eden, NY/Eden) tripled to the wall in right center. Following a walk to Rick Oliveri (Tonawanda, NY/Canisius), Kevin McCall (Chagrin Falls, OH/Notre Dame Cathedral) singled, scoring Karstedt. Randazzo then recorded the first out of the inning on a groundout, but he moved the Buffalo runners up to second and third. Adam Skonieczki (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) then came through with a two RBI, game-tying single to right.

After Dan Francis (East Amherst, NY/Clarence) pitched a perfect top of the tenth, Bhan again led off for the Bulls and drew a walk. Following a pop out, Rob Mancini (Windsor, Ontario/St. Thomas) drew a walk, moving the winning run into scoring position. A passed ball moved both runners up 90 feet and the third walk of the inning, this one by McCall, loaded the bases with just one out. Randazzo then stepped to the plate for the Bulls and hit a chopper between first and second that the Ohio second baseman was able to field, but he had no play and the winning run scored for the Bulls.

Dan Francis

Skonieczki went 3-for-4 with two runs batted in for UB, who improved to 14-37, 7-18 in the Mid-American Conference.

Francis picked up the win in relief for the Bulls, it was his first win of the season.

Buffalo and Ohio will conclude their three-game series on Saturday afternoon at Amherst Audubon Field, game time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Prior to the game, UB will be honoring their seniors who will be playing their final game in the blue and white.

05/16/2008