Niagara
Bulls Soar Past Purple Eagles, 21-4
4/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
NIAGARA FALLS, NY - The University at Buffalo baseball team erupted for nine runs in the top of the fifth including 16 unanswered runs en route to defeating Niagara, 21-4, on Wednesday evening at Sal Maglie Stadium. In the mid-week victory, the Bulls improved to 15-15 overall.
Holding a 5-3 lead after four complete innings, the Bulls erupted for nine runs, their most runs scored in an inning this season, to take a 14-3 lead. With the bases loaded, senior shortstop Jacob Rosenbeckdrilled a two-RBI shot to left center, following an RBI single by senior designated hitter Brad Cochrane at the beginning of the inning to give the Bulls an 8-3 lead. Next up, freshman third baseman Alex Baldockbelted a two-RBI base hit into left center to further the Bulls' lead to 10-3.
Despite Niagara changing pitchers, the Bulls kept the runs rolling in. In the Bulls' first at bat against reliever Brett Sabourin, freshman catcher Tom Murphy doubled to left field, scoring Baldock. Cochrane managed to record his third RBI of the inning off a two-RBI hit to center field followed by an RBI single through the right side by senior right fielderCharlie Karstedt to close out the Bulls' scoring.
The Bulls managed to extend their lead to 17-3, off three runs in the top of the sixth. With the bases loaded, senior second baseman Brad Agustin hit a two-RBI single, eventually reaching second off a fielding error by Niagara left fielder Matt Wietlispach. The Bulls' last tally in the inning came off a wild pitch, scoring Baldock for a Bulls' 17-3 lead.
In the top of the seventh, Buffalo added a couple runs off RBI base hits by senior center fielder Adam Skonieczki and senior first basemanRob Lawler to further its lead to 19-3.
Buffalo's scoring machine finally slowed down in the top of the ninth with a pair of runs to bring its scoring total to 21, the second highest total of runs this season. Niagara recorded six costly errors with the Bulls only committing one error.
In 4.0 innings of work, starter Mike Klaus (1-1) recorded his first career victory, striking out three batters.
Agustin and Lawler each collected three hits followed by senior left fielder Bobby Pizzuto, Karstedt, Cochrane and Muprhy, who each tallied a pair of hits. Cochrane, Karstedt and Baldock tied for a game high three RBIs. Cochrane finished with a game high four runs.
Following a triad of non-conference matchups, Buffalo (15-15, 3-6 MAC) returns to conference action for a weekend road series against Ball State beginning on Friday, April 16 at 3:00 pm.
