BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Niagara University baseball team (21-23), despite scoring runs in the final three innings, lost to the University at Buffalo (15-31), 10-8, Wednesday at Audubon Field, on the campus of Buffalo.
Leading 3-2 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning, the Bulls scored six runs in the fourth to take a seven-run lead over Niagara -- a deficit the Purple Eagles were unable to overcome.
Buffalo opened the bottom of the fourth with back-to-back hits by designated hitter Aaron Otto and second baseman Al Barbato, followed by a drawn walk by outfielder Brian Zelasko, loading the bases. After a fielder’s choice by outfielder Bryan Thrasher, with Otto out at home, Niagara junior pitcher Chris Cerchie (Lasalle, Ont.) walked Bulls shortstop Joe Mihalics to score the first run of the six-run inning. Andrew Wengert, James Kingsley and Mike Connelly drove-in the final five runs of the inning, with both Kingsley and Connelly hitting two-run doubles.
Sophomore outfielder Jeff Vincent (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) started the Niagara comeback attempt in the seventh, leading off with a solo home run to right, making the score, 9-3, in favor of the Bulls.
The following inning, with sophomore Mike Alati (Woodbridge, Ont.) and Andrew MacNevin (St. Catherines, P.E.I.) on base, sophomore Mike Medici (Latham, N.Y.) hit a three-run home run to left, cutting the deficit to just three runs.
After Buffalo added a run in the bottom of the eighth, extending the lead to four runs, Niagara -- despite two runs in the ninth -- was unable to tie the game. Hits by Alati and MacNevin scored the final two runs of the game for the Purple Eagles.
Bulls freshman pitcher Mark Tourangeau pitched five innings to pick up his fourth win of the season, giving up four hits, two runs, while striking out seven.
Niagara, tied for second in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with a 12-7 conference record, returns to action Friday when it begins a three-game series with conference-leading Le Moyne College. Friday’s game, played at Bobo Field, is set to begin at 2 p.m.
