Brian Zelasko

NIAGARA FALLS, NY - The runs came early and often at Sal Maglie Field on Tuesday night, but it was Niagara that came out on top with a 10-8 victory over Buffalo. With the win, Niagara takes the season series, 3-2.

UB got off to a good start by scoring three runs in the top of the second inning on an RBI double by John Boom (London, Ontario/Catholic Central) and a two-run single by Brian Zelasko (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park). Niagara scored twice in the bottom of the second inning to cut the UB advantage to 3-2.

Buffalo scored two more runs in the top of the third inning to take a 5-2 lead. Joe Mihalics (Tonawanda, NY/Timon/St. Jude) started the scoring with an RBI groundout that plated Al Barbato (Utica, NY/Whitesboro). James Kingsley (Medina, NY/Medina) followed with a double to extend his hitting streak to 18 games. The sophomore first baseman would score on an RBI single by Chris McGraw (Summerville, SC/Stratford). However, the Purple Eagles used a five-run third inning to take a 7-5 lead. The key blow was a three-run home run by Andrew MacNevin.

Phil Vanhorne (Scarborough, Ontario/Mother Teresa) drove in Zelasko in the top of the fourth inning to cut the Niagara lead to 7-6. The Purple Eagles tallied a run in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single by Paul Solini to extend their lead to 8-6. Niagara added a run in the sixth inning and a run in the seventh inning to go ahead 10-6.

UB made it interesting in the eighth inning with an RBI groundout by David Amaro (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) and an RBI single by Andrew Wengert (Utica, NY/Proctor) to cut the lead to 10-8. However, that would be as close as the Bulls would get as they dropped their fourth straight game.

Buffalo starting pitcher Sean McWilliams (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua) struggled, allowing seven runs over three innings to get charged with the loss. Chris Cerchie earned the win in relief for Niagara.

The Bulls scored their eight runs on eight hits. Mihalics was held hitless to remain two shy of the career record for hits.

With the loss, the Bulls fell to 15-35 on the season. The win improved Niagara's record to 23-25. Buffalo will wrap up the 2004 campaign with a three-game series at Marshall beginning on Friday.