Doubleheader Saturday: Two And Out

The UB Bulls baseball team (5-17, 0-2 MAC) opened their conference play on Saturday against the University of Akron Zips (11-8, 2-0), hosting a doubleheader after Friday afternoon's rainout.

The teams looked equally competitive all afternoon, but in both games the Zips needed just the ninth inning to produce enough offense to defeat UB, 6-5 and 6-1 respectively.

In game one, Akron jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the fourth, which included a solo homerun by freshman DH Bob Dubovec. UB's sophomore infielder, James Kingsley, tied the game in the bottom of the sixth with a two-run single, helping to a 3-2 lead in the seventh.

The score remained the same into the ninth inning, when a two-out, two-run single by senior infielder Craig Welch ignited a four-run Akron rally. The Bulls added two in their last at bat, but the late surge was left unfulfilled as the Zips hung on to defeat the bulls 6-1.

The second game featured a pitching duo that pitted UB's freshman ace Mark Tourangeau against Akron's southpaw sophomore Pat Watt.

Tourangeau went 8 1/3 innings, striking out seven, while allowing two runs on a mere five hits. However, it was Watt that proved to be more dominant, striking out 10 and allowing only one run while going the distance for the Zips.

When Tourangeau entered the ninth, the score was locked at 1-1. Then Akron quickly inflated their lead to 6-1 after a pair of doubles by infielder Brian Kimutis and pinch-hitter Terry Pettorini.

Buffalo reliever Sean McWilliams faced only five batters before Matt Larson relieved him, recording the final out after walking Dubovec to score Andy Capraruolo for the Zips' sixth and final run.

The Bulls were able to get two men aboard in the bottom of the ninth, but Watt's dominance put a quick end to any hopes for a miraculous comeback.

Buffalo and Akron were scheduled to play the third and final game of this series on Sunday, but they were cancelled due to inclement weather.

Buffalo's next game will be home against local rival Niagara, this Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Amherst Audubon Field.