Bulls Fall To Kent State In Final Regular Season Contest

Adam Skonieczki drives in two UB runs

Adam Skonieczki

KENT, OH - The University at Buffalo baseball team put forth another valiant effort against the MAC East Division champions, but fell, 11-5, Saturday afternoon at Schoonover Stadium in the final regular season contest for both teams. With the loss, UB completes the 2007 campaign with a 16-35 record and an 11-16 mark in conference play.

Kent State struck first in the game as the Golden Flashes rallied for two runs after the first two batters struck out with a two-run home run to left field.

The Bulls cut into the lead in the top of the second inning as junior Rick Oliveri (Tonawanda, NY/Canisius) punched an RBI single into center field, scoring junior Nick Walczak (Tonawanda, NY/Kenmore East) from second base, who led off the inning with a double to left center.

The Golden Flashes added another two-run shot in the bottom of the third inning, which was also hit to left field, as Kent State took a 4-1 lead in the game.

The Bulls were able to score a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning as Brad Agustin (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville East), who reached after he was hit by a pitch, and Tony Fuller (Rochester, NY/Penfield), who reached on a walk, scored on a throwing error from Kent State as the third baseman had to rush a throw to try and catch a speedy Adam Skonieczki (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) at first. The throw sailed over the glove of the first baseman, which allowed both runs to scored.

Nick Walczak

The Bulls escaped trouble in the bottom of the fourth inning as Kent State had the bases loaded with two outs when Greg Rohan hit a liner into left center, which looked like it was going to drop until center fielder Bobby Pizzuto (Mentor, OH/Notre Dame Cathedral) made a diving grab to end the inning.

The UB bullpen pitched well again as Zach Anderson (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville East) gave the Bulls 2.2 innings of scoreless relief before freshman Jeffrey Hains (Mexico, NY/Mexico) came on in the seventh inning.

In the top half of the eighth inning, UB took the lead as Skoniezcki hit a two-run single with the bases loaded to bring in pinch runner E.J. Folli (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) and Agustin from second base, who reached on a walk, giving the UB starter Adam Ruszkowski (Utica, NY/Proctor) a no decision, the third straight time this series that neither starter will pick up a decision.

Rick Oliveri

The Golden Flashes regained the lead in the bottom half of the eighth inning as a bases-loaded single plated two runs. Kent State went on to score seven runs in the bottom half of the eighth inning.

The Bulls finish the 2007 regular season with their most conference wins since joining the MAC. UB’s previous high for MAC wins in a season was six.

05/19/2007