Bulls say farewell to successful senior class after early-tournament exit

The baseball team did what no one expected this season – winning 19 conference games and clinching the second seed in the Mid-American Conference – but could not fulfill its own expectations of winning a MAC championship.

The Bulls (33-24, 19-7 MAC) took a surprising early exit last weekend at the MAC Tournament, taking their second loss of the tournament Friday to Toledo (25-33, 13-14 MAC), 4-1.

Baseball loses opening game, blows out Northern Illinois

The Bulls lost their opening game on Wednesday afternoon 12-10 to Toledo (23-31, 14-14 MAC) and, thus, fell out of the winners’ bracket.

The loss forced the Bulls into the loser’s bracket, where they played Northern Illinois (22-34, 16-12 MAC) Thursday morning. Buffalo bounced back in dominant fashion.

Led by Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Bulls ready for MAC Tournament

After nine seasons without an appearance, the No. 2 seed Bulls are now in Avon, Ohio, preparing for their second straight trip to the MAC Tournament. On Tuesday, head coach Ron Torgalski and senior outfielder Jason Kanzler were named MAC Coach of the Year and MAC Player of the Year, respectively.

Bulls take two of three from Ohio, remain No. 1 in MAC

After two easy wins to start the weekend and with its ace on the mound Sunday, the baseball team appeared to be in a good position to sweep its third straight conference series.

But uncharacteristic poor defense and wild pitching gave underdog Ohio (12-33, 7-14 Mid-American Conference) two leads late in the game, and although the Bulls (26-18, 15-5 MAC) rallied from behind twice earlier in the game, they could not overcome the final deficit. The Bulls remain 1.5 games ahead of Kent State and Northern Illinois for No. 1 overall in the conference.

When sophomore pitcher Mike McGee was pulled in the bottom of the second inning in the series opener against Akron (9-31, 6-11 Mid-American Conference) on Friday night, the Bulls’ streak of conference series-opening wins seemed to be very much in jeopardy.

McGee allowed five runs in just an inning and two thirds and the Bulls (23-18, 13-4 MAC) trailed 5-1.

Looking back on my time at UB, I can only think of who I was when I walked in and who I am today. Reflecting on the biggest transition of my life, I realize that my toes grace the precipice of what might be an even more risky and encompassing decision. 

Means drafted, Moseley signed

Graduating defensive end Steven Means was the No. 147 overall pick in the fifth round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday – making him the fifth Bull to be drafted in the past five years. Graduating UB linebacker Willie Moseley, who was signed as an undrafted free agent moments after the draft, will be joining Means in Tampa Bay.

The Spectrum presents its end-of-the-year sports awards

The Spectrum reveals the fans' pick for Athlete of the Year in addition to the editors' selections for Best Male Athlete, Best Female Athlete, Coach of the Year, Club Sports Team of the Year, Biggest Surprise of the Year, Best Game of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Best Team.

After wins against American International and Lock Haven, UB’s Flying Squirrels (10-0) have earned their first appearance in the USA Rugby Final Four.

In the past eight years, the Flying Squirrels have captured three Division I New York State Championships. The Squirrels moved to Division II in 2012 and claimed a Division II Empire State Championship in the fall.

The team finished undefeated in conference play in the fall season, which concluded Oct. 27. Buffalo shut out six of its nine opponents, outscoring them 368-35 in the fall, qualifying the Squirrels for the 2013 Women’s Collegiate Division II National Championship in the spring.