NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – In the inaugural Big Four Baseball Classic, the Niagara University baseball team (15-18) faces the University at Buffalo (10-24) at Dunn Tire Park, in Buffalo, Tuesday at 3 p.m.
Playing for the Bisons Cup, Niagara and Buffalo will be joined by Canisius and St. Bonaventure, who play in game two Tuesday at 7 p.m.
The Purple Eagles, 9-4 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, are coming off a 4-2 win over Fairfield Monday. In the win, sophomore Mike Alati (Vaughn, N.Y./St. Michael’s), along with juniors Vince Ircandia (Calgary, Alb./Central) and Reed Eastley (Brandon, Man./Neelin) all contributed with runs, helping Niagara remain in third place in the MAAC standings.
The three batters lead the Purple Eagles in hitting this season, all hitting .300 or above, led by Alati’s .340 average, and all three rank among the MAAC leaders in several statistical categories. Eastley continues to be tied for fourth in the conference in RBI (30), with Ircandia second in the MAAC in walks (22) and fourth in stolen bases (14). Alati ranks in the top 15 in the conference in batting average and slugging percentage (.580).
Taking the mound against the Bulls will be freshman left-hander Ryan Virtue (Stittsville, Ont./Stittsville). Virtue leads all Niagara pitchers with a 2.00 ERA and has a 4-0 record in four starts this season. Against Buffalo this season, Virtue won a 5-4 decision, pitching four innings and giving up two runs, April 7.
Buffalo heads into Tuesday’s game winning three of its last four games.
The Bulls, 3-7 in the Mid-American Conference, stand fifth in the East Division of the MAC. This season, Buffalo is led by junior Joe Mihalics, who is hitting .387 with three home runs and 20 RBI. Also batting above .300 for the Bulls are Andrew Wengert (.347) and Chris McGraw (.387). Sophomore James Kingsley leads the team with 27 RBI this season, also hitting five home runs.
Getting the start for the Bulls Tuesday is McGraw. The junior right-hander is 2-4 this season, leading the team with 33 strikeouts. Against Niagara this season, McGraw gave up four hits and two runs, while striking out five in his April 7 start.
The Big Four Championship Game will be played Wednesday at 7 p.m. with the winners of the Niagara/Buffalo and the Canisius/St. Bonaventure games vying for the inaugural title. Wednesday’s consolation game is schedule for 3 p.m.
Admission to the games is free and seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
