Tuohy Cruises To MAC-Leading Fifth Win; Baseball Downs Bobcats, 9-3

Friday, April 8

1 pm

University at Buffalo

10-15, 4-3

Ohio

12-17, 2-5

Buffalo

Ohio

Tuohy Cruises To MAC-Leading Fifth Win; Baseball Downs Bobcats, 9-3

4/8/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

ATHENS, OH – Junior pitcher Alec Tuohy collected his Mid-American Conference leading fifth victory of the season on Friday afternoon as the University at Buffalo baseball team earned the 9-3 victory. With the win, Tuohy improved to 5-2 on the year while the Bulls improved to 10-15 and 4-3 in MAC play.

"What a great way to start the weekend," said head coach Ron Torgalski. "Alec Tuohy came out and did a tremendous job against one of the better hitting teams in the league. We also did a great job early on at the plate and allowed us to play with the big lead, which is always easier."

The UB offense started off quick on Friday as Alex Thrower opened the game earning a walk and he was able to advance to second after a Bobby Sheppard ground ball was botched by the third baseman. After a pair of outs, Mike Abrunzo smacked a double to deep right center field to score Thrower and Sheppard and give the Bulls the early 2-0 lead.

After UB starting pitcher Alec Tuohy pitched a pair of hitless innings, the Bulls offense added three runs in the top of the third to take the 5-0 lead. Thrower started the rally once again with a leadoff walk and he advanced to second after a failed pick-off attempt. Chris Kwitzer then singled to center to give UB runners on the corners with one out before Vinny Mallaro singled through the left side to score Thrower. After an out, Andrew Taft notched an infield single to shortstop to score Kwitzer and Mallaro for the 5-0 edge.

The Buffalo lead was extended out to 7-0 in the fourth inning as Kyle Brennan opened the inning with a deep double to left center field. Brian Dudek then laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move Brennan to third base before Thrower singled through the left side to score UB's catcher. After Sheppard singled to give UB runners on first and second, Mallaro collected his second hit and RBI of the day with a single to left that scored Thrower.

After cruising through the first four innings of the game and not allowing a single hit, Tuohy allowed his first hit of the game in the bottom of the fifth as Ty Black singled to short. The Bobcats were able to collect their first run of the game later in the inning as Nate Squires singled to score Black after a wild pitch moved him over to third.

Tuohy got out of a two-runner with no outs jam in the sixth inning as he earned a strikeout, a pop out and a ground out to move on to the seventh inning with the 7-1 lead. After a scoreless seventh, the Bobcats scored two unearned runs in the eighth inning off of Logan Harasta. After a single opened the inning, the Bulls committed an error in right field to give Ohio two runners on. The Bobcats scored both runners on a ground out and a sacrifice fly to make the score 7-3.

The Bulls added on two runs in the ninth inning as Mallaro earned a hit by pitch and Ben Haefner earned a walk. Brennan then delivered his second double of the game to score Mallaro and Haefner, making the score 9-3 in the ninth.

Mallaro continued his hot start to the season as he went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI's and two runs scored. Mallaro is now batting .519 and has a slugging % of .852 with two homers, 10 RBI's, nine runs and three doubles in seven MAC games. Abrunzo and Brennan each collected two hits and two RBI's in the win. Taft finished off his game with two RBI's while Thrower went 1-for-3 with a career-high three runs scored and three walks in the leadoff spot for the Bulls.

On the mound, Tuohy continued to shine after making the transition to starter from the bullpen last season. The righty went 7.0 innings and allowed just five hits and one run while whiffing five Bobcats in his MAC-leading fifth win of the season. Tuohy improved to 5-2 on the year with a 2.96 ERA while striking out 45 batters and holding his opponents to a .219 batting average against. Harasta appeared in his team-leading 13^th game of the season and finished going two innings while allowing two unearned runs in the win.

The Bulls and Bobcats will return to Wren Field on Saturday at 3:00 pm in the second game of the three-game set. Sophomore Charlie Sobieraski (4-1, 5.44 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Bulls.