More than just the sun burned the Bulls over spring break, as the baseball team dropped all six games it played over the weeklong period. Buffalo's week long losing streak was put on hiatus however with the final two games being cancelled.
Buffalo (1-12) didn't travel that far from home as they made stops in Philadelphia, Penn. and through out the state of Maryland to take on Temple, Navy, Towson and Maryland-Baltimore County.
"Right now we are just looking for guys to fill roles and needing someone to step up," said Bulls head coach Ron Torgalski. "I thought our pitchers did an OK job keeping us in the games the entire week. We just aren't stepping up and making the play when we need it."
Stopping first in Philadelphia, the Bulls faced the Temple Owls (4-10) for a double-header on Sunday, March 11. After battling back from a four run deficit, with five unanswered runs of their own, the Bulls gave the lead back to the Owls, allowing two in the bottom of the eighth inning and lost, 6-5.
Leading the way for the Bulls was sophomore second baseman Brad Augustin, who went 4-5 from the plate, and knocked in one run. Senior Mike Radanovic started the game, but picked up a no decision despite striking out five batters in six innings of work.
In the nightcap, Bulls got no love from their bats as they fell, 9-0. Freshman infielder Nick Walczak and sophomore outfielder James Piazza each went 2-4 in the second game. Both of Walczak's hits were doubles.
After being shutout in The City of Brotherly Love, the Bulls traveled to Annapolis, Md. to face the Navy Midshipmen. Buffalo recorded eight hits on the day, but had no runs to show for it and fell, 7-0. Senior pitcher Adam Ruszkowski was solid on the mound, pitching six good innings before finding trouble in the seventh where he gave up four runs. Navy (15-7) picked up another two runs in the bottom of the eighth to close the game. Freshman outfielder Bobby Pizzuto was a bright sport for the Bulls, as he went 2-3 and recorded the first stolen base of his collegiate career.
"There may be little things that we may not execute that you don't think would hurt you, but you think back at the end to the second inning after losing a close (game) and think if we made that play it is a different ball game," Torgalski said. "A perfect example is that second Navy game. We had two outs and two men on and we can't make the play and after they knock it through it becomes 6-0 instead of 2-0."
Finding themselves in a familiar place, the Bulls were slated to play the Midshipmen again just a few days later. Buffalo competed much better but still fell short two runs by a final of 9-7.
Junior catcher Rick Oliveri finished 2-for-4 in the game with two runs batted in, while sophomore outfielder Charlie Karsdet also drove in two runs, finishing 1-3 on the day. Junior shortstop Mike Folli had a team-high three hits on the afternoon.
Pizzuto continued to shine later in the week against Towson, but again it would not be enough to fuel the Bulls to a win as the Tigers won, 8-5. In the fifth inning, Pizzuto hit his first collegiate home run, a two run shot to left field. The home run was the Bulls' first round tripper as a team this year. Buffalo tacked on single runs in both the sixth and seventh innings to make the score 7-5 before Towson (6-12) scored one in the bottom of the seventh. Folli finished the day 3-5 and scored a run. Sophomore outfielder Eric Flynn went 2-3 and crossed the plate twice.
"One thing that was disappointing was that whenever we would go out and score or try and get back in the games, we would go back out and give up a run or two," Torgalski said. "Something we have been stressing with our pitchers is to go out and keep the momentum up and go out and give it right back."
Staying in the Mid-Atlantic State, Buffalo suited up to face Maryland-Baltimore County (5-8). The Retrievers paced the game and held the Bulls scoreless until the seventh inning, eventually finishing the Bulls by a count of 6-2. Freshmen infielder Shivam Bhan led the way offensively, recording two of Buffalo's five hits on the afternoon. Bhan and Folli added two RBIs apiece. Coming in for relief, sophomore Steve Geltz ended up pitching 1 1/3 innings, allowing just two hits, one run and striking out two.
"We are all disappointed when we lose, but we have been stressing every game that we are going to come out hard and look to get better," Torgalski said. "It might not show on the scoreboard but guys are getting better. "
The Bulls did not get the chance to end the break with a win as their two-game series with Mount St. Mary's was cancelled due to bad weather in the area.
Buffalo will now focus on Mid-American Conference play, as the conference portion of the schedule begins on Friday with a three-game series at Central Michigan (7-10). First pitch is set for 3 p.m. on Friday.
