It took the Bulls seven tries, but they finally recorded their first Mid-American Conference victory of the baseball season against the Toledo Rockets this weekend. Pitching dominated the first two games of the series, but the bats awoke in the third competition.
The first game of the series was cancelled on Friday and was rescheduled for Saturday as part of a doubleheader. Buffalo (7-21, 2-7 MAC) won the afternoon game 4-1, but fell in the nightcap 3-0. The Bulls routed the Rockets in the rubber match on Sunday, 11-3.
In game one, junior Adam Ruszkowski was on the mound for the Bulls. Ruszkowski struck out three batters, allowed 10 hits, and gave up one run in eight innings to pick up the win. The victory was the ninth in Ruszkowski's career and gave him the school record for wins since the program was reinstated in 2000.
"We got a great outing from Adam Ruszkowski in game one," said Buffalo head coach Bill Breene. "We've changed his arm angle a little bit. He's getting a lot more movement on his ball and making him a lot more effective. He battled all the way and it's great to see him have success like that."
Toledo (14-12, 5-4 MAC) and Buffalo each scored a run in the fourth inning. A Kingsley RBI triple in the bottom of the seventh gave the Bulls their fourth run of the game. Each team failed to score in the eighth and Buffalo took a 4-1 lead into the ninth.
Freshman reliever Steve Geltz closed out the game for the Bulls. After walking the lead-off batter, Geltz settled down and struck out the side to end the game. The save was Geltz' third of the season, and brought him within one of the school record.
"They had him clocked at 90-91 (mph) yesterday," Breene said. "He's very effective closing things out. He pounds the strike zone, and I think he surprises hitters. He got the save, came in during the ninth inning and struck out three to finish the game for us."
In the second game, Buffalo got another strong effort from its starting pitcher. Sophomore starter Shane Wolf pitched well, but the Bulls failed to capitalize on their seven hits and were shut out in the game. Wolf pitched seven and a third innings, struck out four, and surrendered just two runs.
Buffalo was unable to score a run against Toledo sophomore starter Kyle Rawlings. Rawlings came into the game with the third best ERA in the MAC, and led the league in batting average against.
Rawlings pitched seven shutout innings, and after the Bulls failed to score in the eighth, Toledo's closer Joe Roberts came in to finish off Buffalo. Roberts added his conference leading ninth save, and the Rockets won 3-0.
Unlike the first two games, the series finale featured plenty of run support for Bulls senior starter Sean McWilliams. The Buffalo ace ran into a bit of trouble in the first inning, but was able to escape after giving up just two runs.
The Bulls answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning, and four more in the second taking them to a 5-2 lead.
McWilliams held the Rockets scoreless over the next six innings, and at one point retired 11 consecutive batters. On the day, McWilliams struck out three batters, and allowed just two runs in seven innings pitched.
"He pitched outstanding," Breene said. "He had a shaky first inning, they got a two run lead right out of the gate, but he settled down. He just cruised through innings after the first inning."
Buffalo managed just four runs in the first two games, but exploded for 11 runs in this contest. Seven different players had hits and the Bulls managed 16 as a team. Agustin and junior catcher Dan Quinn each had a home run in the rout.
The Bulls will look to continue their winning ways when they play the Canisius Golden Griffins on Tuesday for the second time this season. Buffalo won at Canisius 11-3 in the first meeting. Tuesday's game will start at 2 p.m. at Amherst Audubon Field.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
