Offense Stalls in Doubleheader Loss to Niagara

Wednesday, May 2

3 pm

University at Buffalo

12-28

Niagara

16-25

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Buffalo	0	1	0	0	0	0	2	3	8	2
Niagara	4	0	0	0	0	0	X	4	7	2

Offense Stalls in Doubleheader Loss to Niagara

5/2/2012 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

BUFFALO, NY - The Buffalo baseball team dropped both games of a mid-week doubleheader Wednesday to Big Four rival Niagara in a pair of seven-inning games, 4-3 and 5-1. Despite the games being played at Amherst Audubon Field, the Bulls were the away team for the games, which was due to the pair being a makeup of yesterday's postponed series in Niagara.

The Purple Eagles started the first game with four runs in the first inning off of UB starter Mike McGee. Buffalo answered back with one swing in the top of the second, with Tom Murphy lining his eighth home run of the season over the left field wall for a solo shot to get the team started. It was his first longball at home this season.

Following a walk to the leadoff batter in the bottom of the second inning, McGee was relieved by Dan Ginader, who was very effective and was able to last the rest of the way. The sophomore threw five innings and allowed just three hits to the Eagles for the remainder of the game.

In the top of the seventh and final inning, UB took advantage of a pair of errors from Niagara to stage a comeback. Jon Mestas hit a one-out single and an error by the shortstop allowed Matt Pollock to reach base right after. Jason Kanzler hit a sharp grounder to short for what appeared to be a game-ending double play, but Niagara could only force out Pollock. In the rush to try and throw out the speedy Kanzler, the ball was thrown past the first baseman and out of play, scoring Mestas and moving Kanzler to second. Kanzler would then score on Dan Scahill's third hit of the game, but that would be it for UB.

In game two, the Bulls were down 5-1 before the end of three innings, with its only run coming on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by Justin Gonzalez. Though the team drew six walks, it could only manage three hits and were unable to score for the rest of the game. After game two starter Zach Stephens allowed five runs in his three innings of work, reliever Corey Paige was solid in relief and allowed no hits or runs in the final three innings of the game.

Next up for the Bulls will be a weekend series against Mid-American Conference foe Toledo. The Rockets are currently the leader in the West division, and are tied for the second best overall conference record in the MAC. First pitch on Friday is set for 3 pm.