Ninth-Inning Rally Boosts Bulls to Win

Saturday, March 23

3 pm

University at Buffalo

11-9, 0

Central Michigan

9-11, 0

Central Michigan

Buffalo

Ninth-Inning Rally Boosts Bulls to Win

3/23/2013 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

ROCHESTER, NY - After being held in check for most of the afternoon, the Buffalo baseball team (11-9, 1-0 MAC) saved its best for last, scoring five times in the bottom of the ninth to overcome a 4-0 deficit and shock the Central Michigan Chippewas, 5-4. Alex Baldock hit the walk-off double to drive in Jason Kanzler, after Kanzler had just hit a three-run double to tie the game. The game was played at Monroe Community College in Rochester, and was the first game of the Mid-American Conference season.

It was the team's first walk-off win since May 24 of last season, when Baldock again came through with a double to secure a 6-5 win in the tenth inning against Ohio in the Mid-American Conference tournament. The win also marked the first time since the 2002 season that it opened the conference schedule with a win.

Trailing 4-0 in the ninth, the Chippewas (9-11, 0-1 MAC) opted to keep their eighth inning reliever in the game, and he opened the inning with two quick singles to end his outing. Thomas Richards lifted a seeing-eye single to center field, and Kyle Figgins grounded a single of his own through the right side to bring on CMU's closer, Matt Trowbridge. Rather than opt for the sacrifice bunt, Mike Scarcello kept the bat on his should and took advantage of a wild first batter from Trowbridge, drawing a walk to load the bases with still no outs. Jimmy Topps got the Bulls on the board with a sacrifice fly to left field, with Richards able to beat the throw home.

Jon Mestas then was able to draw a walk as well, loading the bases again for Kanzler. After being frustrated in his first three at bats, the senior outfielder came through when it mattered most and lined a double to the wall in left field that brought home all three base runners and tied the game up at 4-4. Baldock wasted little time in ending it, taking a few pitches before stroking a double over the center fielder's head for the win.

The ninth was theraputic for the Bulls, whose bats were as cold as the weather was for the first eight innings of the game. That was thanks in large part to Chippewa starter Jordan Foley, who came into the game with a 1.08 earned run average and was as good as advertised. He allowed just three hits and three walks in seven innings.

"He (Foley) threw it hard and we were off balance," head coach Ron Torgalski. "To our kids' credit, they kept battling and in the last few innings we put it all together. The guys you expect to step up, stepped up and got the big hits."

The Bulls were no slouches on the mound either, as starter Mike McGee struck out eight Chips in his six total innings before giving way to fellow southpaw Ben Hartz. The freshman went the final three innings and struck out three while allowing one run to help the Bulls rally and earn his second win of the season.

"Mike threw very well, but every so often he gets himself in trouble," Torgalski said. "He really wasn't in too much trouble today, and the Hartz came in and threw well and kept them off balance. He has a great mound presence and he isn't afraid to challenge guys."

The two teams will be back at it tomorrow morning, playing a pair of nine-inning games starting at 11 am EST. Anthony Magovney will get the ball in game one, and Mike Burke will pitch the second game.