Bulls Double Up on UMBC, 16-8

Wednesday, March 14

6:30 pm

University at Buffalo

6-6

UMBC

2-10

Buffalo

UMBC

3/14/2012 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

BALTIMORE, MD - Led by four separate Bulls recording three or more hits, the baseball team won its fourth straight game Wednesday evening, beating the UMBC Retrievers 16-8. Jon Mestas had a career-high four hits, while Matt Pollock came a home run shy of hitting for the cycle. The Bulls as a team hit for the cycle in the fifth and sixth innings to run away with the win.

Trailing 2-0 after two innings, the Bulls ripped off 16 unanswered runs between the third and sixth innings. Singles by Mestas and Pollock started off the third, and Jason Kanzler scored Mestas after forcing a tough throw by the shortstop that was ruled an error. Tom Murphy scored Pollock on a sacrifice fly, and Kanzler would cap off the inning thanks to a balk by UMBC starter Mac Gill. In the fourth, Mike Scarcello and Mestas hit back-to-back doubles to start off the inning, and a single right back up the middle by Kanzler would bring in Mestas to put the Bulls up 3-2.

The game was put away in the fifth as the Bulls hit for the cycle and put up six runs on just four hits. River McWilliams reached on an error, and after two straight UB outs the wheels would come off for the Retrievers. A single by Mestas and a hit-by-pitch drawn by Andy Smietana would load up the bases, and a double pulled by Pollock to left field would plate two. Kanzler would step up right after and tripled to score Pollock, and Murphy followed with his fifth home run of the season for an 11-2 UB lead.

Buffalo would again rally with two outs in the sixth inning, recording antother collective cycle in the to score five runs on six hits after the first two batters were set down on strikes. Three straight singles by Scahill, Mestas and Smietana loaded the bases up again. Pollock would drive in all three with a triple and Kanzler hit his third home run of the season. Murphy would hit a double to complete the cycle, but was stranded on third.

Staked to a 16-2 lead, starting pitcher Mike Burke had more than enough support to nail down his second win of the season. The sophomore went six innings and struck out five batters. Mike McGee struck out four and did not allow a walk over his two innings of relief.

Now with four straight wins and victories in six of the past seven contests, the Bulls (6-6) will travel up north for three weekend games in Philadelphia. Friday will feature a game against La Salle, first pitch set for 3 pm.