Bulls Drop Pitchers Dual To Eastern Michigan, 2-1

Saturday, April 2

2:30 pm

University at Buffalo

9-15, 3-3

Eastern Michigan

11-15, 5-1

Eastern Michigan

Buffalo

Bulls Drop Pitchers Dual To Eastern Michigan, 2-1

4/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

OLEAN, NY - The University at Buffalo baseball team dropped a tightly contested pitchers dual to the Eastern Michigan Eagles on Saturday at Fred Handler Park in Olean, 2-1. The loss drops the Bulls to 9-15 overall and 3-3 in MAC play.

The Bulls were able to get on the board first in the opening inning as Alex Thrower reached second base after an erratic throw from the Eagles pitcher went into right field. Bobby Sheppard then recorded a bunt single to move Thrower to third base before Mike Abrunzo grounded into a double play, scoring Thrower from third.

The Eagles didn't waste much time knotting the game at one as they produced a run in the top of the second inning. The Eagles lead off hitter notched a single and then stole second base. John Montgomery then hit a deep fly ball to right field to move the runner to third before a ground out to first base allowed the runner to tie the game, 1-1.

After a scoreless bottom half of the second inning from the Bulls, the Eagles scored the would be game-winning run in the third inning. After UB starter Shawn Dubin got the first two outs, the Eagles notched a single and a stolen base before Mitchell McGeein hit a deep double to left field to score the runner from second and make the score 2-1 in favor of the Eagles.

After a couple scoreless innings the Bulls had their best chance to tie the game up in the sixth inning as they were able to load the bases with two outs. Abrunzo started things off with a walk and Vinny Mallaro followed him with a hard single to center field. Andrew Taft worked a walk to load the bases for Kyle Brennan who flew out to deep center to end the UB threat.

Buffalo was able to load the bases again in the seventh inning as Ben Haefner reached on an error and Thrower and Abrunzo each worked walks. Mallaro then dug in with a chance to tie the game but fouled out to first base.

The Bulls had one final chance to tie things up in the ninth as Eddie Edwards III singled to center and Thrower earned a walk to give UB two runners with one out. After Eastern Michigan made a pitching change, they earned the final two outs of the inning to collect the rubber match victory, 2-1.

As a team, the Bulls left 11 runners on base while the Eagles left seven. The Eagles also held the 5-0 edge in stolen bases for the game.

The Bulls pitching wasn't the problem on Saturday as Dubin pitched his second straight gem for UB as he went 6.0 innings while allowing four hits and two runs while striking out four Eagles. Logan Harasta came in out of the bull pen and went 3.0 innings while three hits and striking out one batter.

Edwards III led the UB offense going 2-for-2 with a walk while Thrower earned a pair of walks and scored the Bulls lone run. Sheppard, Mallaro, Chris Kwitzer and Haefner each collected one hit in the loss.

The Bulls will return to the diamond on Tuesday afternoon as they play host to Big 4 foe Niagara in a doubleheader at Amherst Audobon Field starting at 2:00 pm.