Senior pitcher Cameron Copping pitched 10 scoreless innings on Friday. Most days that would be more than enough for a win, but not this weekend. The offense couldn't push runs across when it needed them most.
The Bulls (7-14, 1-4 MAC) were unable to get the big hits last weekend, as they were swept by Western Michigan (13-10, 5-0 MAC) in the two-game series. They lost 2-0 on Friday, and fell 6-4 on Saturday at the Amherst Audubon Field. The game that was scheduled for Sunday was called in the third inning.
The two losses put the Bulls' losing streak at four games.
Buffalo was looking for a solid outing from its starting pitching, and it delivered, especially Copping. The Broncos' bats were stymied by Copping, as he allowed only three hits, struck out seven hitters, and walked one batter.
"I was on with everything," Copping said. "My pitches were working and I had a great defense behind me. Everything was just going smooth."
Head coach Ron Torgalski was also very impressed by Copping's outing.
"Cam threw his butt off," Torgalski said. "I thought he threw a great game, the best I've seen in a few years. He was pitching ahead, and he had them on their heels. It was a great player stepping up, knowing that we needed a good pitching performance to get back on the winning track."
Copping's gem wasn't enough, as the Bulls could not find a way to score a run despite nine Bulls hits. Buffalo left 13 men on base and, in two crucial moments in the fifth and ninth innings, were unable to manufacture a run and left men in scoring position. In the top of the 12th inning, the Broncos took the lead for good on first baseman Troy Forton's two run single.
Senior pitcher Jeff Thompson followed Copping's lead on Saturday, as he allowed two earned runs over five innings of work. The Bulls' bats did wake up briefly in the sixth, as they scored two runs off junior outfielder Jason Kanzler's single to tie the game at three.
But Forton once again played hero, as he had another two-run hit, this time a triple, and the Bulls were unable to get any closer. He was the only guy that gave the pitching staff trouble, hitting 4-for-9 over the weekend and knocked in five of the eight total runs that Western Michigan scored.
Despite Forton's success, Torgalski was pleased with the pitching staff this weekend.
"We have pitched well enough two games in a row that we should have two victories," Torgalski said.
Over the weekend, the guys who have led the Bulls in hitting all season were quiet. The top-four hitters in the batting order, junior catcher Tom Murphy, junior second baseman Jon Mestas, junior outfielder Matt Pollock and senior outfielder Dan Scahill hit a combined .210, and only knocked in one run over the two games.
"We didn't swing the bats like we're capable of," Torgalski said. "I don't know if guys are putting a little extra pressure on themselves and being a little tense. It's got to be nine innings of aggressive hitting, and we're just not doing that."
The Bulls will take a quick break from MAC play with a doubleheader against St. Bonaventure (10-11, 2-4 Atlantic 10) on Tuesday in Olean, NY. Game one is set to start at 2 p.m.
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