BUFFALO, N.Y. – Playing their fifth game in the last four days, the Niagara University baseball team (13-22) lost to the University at Buffalo (12-21-1), 10-3, in Wednesday’s consolation game of the 2005 Big Four Baseball Classic at Dunn Tire Park.
Led by freshman pitcher Tony Kurtz (2-2), who earned the win for the Bulls, Buffalo limited the Purple Eagles to five hits in the seven-run victory.
"We have to regroup both mentally and physically," Niagara head coach Chris Chernisky said following the game. "We pitched every pitcher we had the past four days. But I have full confidence in our guys in this weekend’s series (against Manhattan)."
Kurtz pitched eight innings in the win, striking out six and walking two. His superb pitching helped the Bulls build a 5-1 lead on Niagara after four innings.
Already ahead 1-0 after two, Buffalo sophomore catcher Dan Quinn hit an RBI-single down the left field line, scoring junior James Kingsley from second. Quinn would later score on following an arrent throw to home by Niagara freshman infielder Andrew MacDonald (Charlottetown, P.E.I.).
The Purple Eagles cut the deficit to 3-1 in the fourth, after junior Mike Alati (Woodbridge, Ont.) singled-in junior Andrew MacNevin (St. Catharines, P.E.I.), but Buffalo responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning, taking a four run lead.
Six different Buffalo players registered RBIs in the win, led by Quinn’s three. The sophomore catcher went 2-for-4 from the plate with two runs scored. Senior outfielder Andy Wengert had three hits and two RBI in the win.
For Niagara, Alati led the team with two RBI, with MacNevin going 2-for-3 from the plate with two runs scored.
Niagara senior pitcher Chris Cerchie (Lasalle, Ont.) went three innings in a no decision, allowing five hits and three runs, while striking out three. Sophomore Ryan Virtue (Stittsville, Ont.) pitched three innings of relief, allowing four hits and two runs in the loss.
The Purple Eagles look to snap a four-game losing streak in a crucial Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference series this weekend at Bobo Field. Standing fifth in the MAAC with a 7-6 conference record, Niagara looks to move up the MAAC standings against the third-place Jaspers. Game time for Saturday’s doubleheader is set for noon, with Sunday’s game also scheduled for a noon start.
