University at Buffalo
Toledo
Bulls Fall to Toledo in Conference Series Finale, 17-8
4/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo baseball team fell to Toledo, 17-8, in the conference series finale to give the Rockets the series on Sunday afternoon at Amherst Audubon Field. In the three-game series, the Bulls and Rockets combined for 87 total hits including 37 in Sunday's contest.
The Rockets attacked the Bulls in the top of the first, taking a 4-0 lead, including a two-RBI single to right center by first baseman Jim Vahalik.
With two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the second, right fielder Dan Sherwood hit a grand slam for his third home run of the series, giving the Rockets a 9-0 lead.
Senior second baseman Brad Agustin poked an RBI single into left field to score the Bulls' first run of the afternoon, driving in senior shortstop Jacob Rosenbeck, who doubled to start the inning.
After the Rockets added a pair of runs to take an 11-1 lead in the top of the fifth, the Bulls responded with two of their own. Senior designated hitter Charlie Karstedt, slid an RBI double down the right field line to cut into the Rockets' lead, 11-2. In the Bulls' next at bat, senior center fielder Adam Skonieczki drilled an RBI double to the center field wall, scoring Karstedt.
In the bottom of the eighth, senior second baseman Brad Cochrane hit a high-flying double to center field to score freshman catcher Tom Murphy, who doubled to begin the inning.
To open the bottom of the ninth, Karstedt hit his second home run of the series to deep right off the first pitch by Toledo reliever Mike Inselmann. Building off Karstedt's solo shot, Murphy popped an RBI base hit through the left side to score Jacob Rosenbeck. Senior left fielder Bobby Pizzuto closed out the Bulls' scoring with a two-RBI double to center field as Buffalo flied out on the next at bat to end the contest.
In the final four innings, Toledo racked up six runs to help secure its 17-8 victory.
Karstedt, Pizzuto and Rosenbeck each collected three hits on the day. Karstedt and Pizzuto drove in a pair of RBIs to tie for the team lead. Entering the contest at catcher in the top of the eighth, Murphy went 2-for-2 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Junior starter Josh Edwards (0-3) recorded the Bulls' loss in 1.2 innings of work, striking out two batters. In 2.1 innings of relief work, senior Brian Pullyblank struck out three batters while allowing no runs and only one hit.
The Bulls (13-14, 3-6 MAC) will host Big Four rival St. Bonaventure for a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday, April 13 beginning at 2:00 pm.
