Joe Mihalics

HUNTINGTON, WV - The University at Buffalo baseball team dropped its final game of the season to Marshall, 5-1, on Sunday afternoon at University Heights Field.

In his first at bat of the game, UB shortstop Joe Mihalics (Tonawanda, NY/Timon/St. Jude) ripped a single to centerfield. It was his 174th career hit, giving him the school record for hits. He surpassed Brandon DiCesare who set the mark last season. Only a junior, Mihalics would collect two more hits on the afternoon to up his career mark to 176. Mihalics' 76 hits on the season is also a school record.

The Thundering Herd held a 2-0 lead through five innings. David Amaro (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) singled home Steve Legrett (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua) in the top of the sixth inning to cut the Marshall advantage to 2-1. However, the Herd scored three runs, all with two outs, in the bottom of the seventh inning to take a 5-1 lead.

Buffalo starting pitcher Chris McGraw (Summerville, SC/Stratford) was charged with the loss after allowing all five runs over 6 2/3 innings. The junior hurler did have seven strikeouts to bring his season total to a team-best 50.

Despite being outscored by four runs, the Bulls did outhit the Herd, 9-6. Along with Mihalics' three hits, Phil Vanhorne (Scarborough, Ontario/Mother Teresa) had two hits to lead UB.

The Bulls finished the 2004 campaign with an overall record of 15-39 and a 4-18 conference mark.