Kingsley Reaches Milestone, But Flashes Sweep Bulls

Senior sets school's career RBI mark in doubleheader with Kent State

James Kingsley

BUFFALO, NY - Senior James Kingsley (Medina, NY/Medina) set one more school record in his next to last day in a University at Buffalo baseball uniform, as he hit a two-run homer to set the career RBI mark, but Kent State won both ends of a Mid-American Conference doubleheader, 9-0 and 9-7, respectively, at Amherst Audubon Field on Friday afternoon.

Kingsley's milestone, as his 138 RBIs now bests Bryan Sanchez (2000-03) by two, was a part of a 4-for-9, three-RBI day for the senior, as he also blasted his 49th career double and 27th career homer in the games.

A wild pitch helped Todd Balduf score the winning run in the seventh inning of the second game, helping spoil a 2-for-5, three-RBI effort from Kingsley, as the Golden Flashes held on for a 9-7 win to take the sweep.

The Flashes (35-16 overall, 19-6 MAC) jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning on the strength of six straight runners reaching base. Kingsley answered back for the Bulls (14-37 overall, 5-21 MAC) with a two-out, two-run shot over the 380-foot sign in right center in the bottom of the inning to cut into the lead and help Kingsley pass Bryan Sanchez (2000-03) with his 137th career RBI. Sophomore Mike Folli (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) walked with one out to set up the homer.

Carl Aquila

Senior Carl Aquila (Alden, NY/St. Mary's/Erie CC) singled up the middle with one out in the bottom of the third and with two outs, junior Dan Quinn (Hamburg, NY/Frontier) doubled him in with a shot off the right field wall, closing the lead to one run.

Kent State came back though, scoring two runs in the fourth capped by a homer from Kurt Eichorn to take a 6-3 lead. Buffalo cut into the gap in the bottom of the frame as sophomore Rick Oliveri (Tonawanda, NY/Canisius) doubled to right-center to lead off. A hit batter helped senior David Amaro (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) reach and after a fielder's choice and a strikeout, Folli singled past a diving second baseman to drive in Amaro.

Eric Flynn

The Flashes posted another run in the fifth as Jason Patton doubled and scored to retain the three-run cushion. Quinn answered back with his ninth homer, which ties Marty Cerny (1986) for the fourth-most in a UB single-season, in the bottom of the inning, as he lined a laser 420 feet over the center field wall. Freshman Eric Flynn (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Falls) cut the lead to one in the bottom of the sixth with a solo shot to right center for his first career homer.

Mike Folli

Buffalo kept the rally going in the sixth, as Folli reached after striking out on a passed ball and Aquila blooped a ball in down the right field line helping Folli reach third. Folli scored as Kingsley grounded into a fielder's choice and beat the shortstop's throw trying to double him up.

The Golden Flashes came back with the winning run in the top of the seventh, though, as Balduf singled behind third base to lead off. He took second on a balk and scored on two wild pitches, the second with two outs. The Flashes posted another run in the eighth thanks to a bloop double down the right field line from Drew Saylor.

Senior Matt Larson (Canandaigua, NY/Pomona) (0-1) was charged with the loss, throwing two innings, allowing one hit and being credited with Balduf's run. He struck out two. Freshman Zach Anderson (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville East) pitched 2 1/3 innings in relief, allowing three hits and one run. He struck out one and walked one.

Quinn led the Bulls with a 3-for-5 game, hitting a homer and driving in two. Aquila, Kingsley and Agustin also each had two of the team's 13 hits.

Balduf, Emmanuel Burris and Kurt Eichorn each had two hits and two runs for the Flashes and James Patton went 3-for-3 with a run and an RBI in the 16-hit attack.

Dominique Rodgers (2-1) got the win for Kent State, as he tossed 2 2/3 innings, allowing five hits and one earned run. He struck out one before yielding to Ryan Davis, who pitched two scoreless frames, striking out two, for his 12th save.

Kent State wrapped up home field advantage the right to host the MAC Playoffs at Schoonover Stadium as it scored five runs in the first four innings to cruise to a 9-0 shutout win in the first game of the doubleheader.

The Flashes manufactured the first run of the game, as Burriss led off with a bunt single and moved to third on a double from Joe Tucker. He scored on a groundout. A Balduf homer in the second gave Kent a two-run cushion.

Two more runs crossed in the third for the Flashes with Saylor's triple keying the rally. Another run in the fourth gave Kent a 5-0 lead, which starter Chad Wagler (9-3) had little trouble keeping, as he cruised allowing just three hits and one runner to third in six shutout innings. He struck out seven.

The Flashes scored four more in the ninth, wrapping up the five-hit, 9-0, shutout, as Saylor had a two-RBI single in the inning.

Saylor led the Flashes, going 2-for-5 with two runs, a triple and three RBIs. Tucker went 3-for-5 with three runs and Eichorn went 2-for-5 with two RBIs. Will Vazquez also had two of the Flashes' 13 hits.

Dan Quinn

Kingsley had two hits and a double for the Bulls. Quinn reached 100 career hits with a single to center field in the seventh inning.

Junior Adam Ruszkowski (Utica, NY/Proctor) (5-6) took the loss for the Bulls, going six innings and allowing 10 hits, two walks and five runs while striking out four.

The Bulls and Flashes meet in the regular season finale at 1:00 pm on Saturday at Amherst Audubon Field. The Bulls' seven seniors will be honored in a ceremony before the game.

05/19/2006