Leadoff hitters are often referred to as the "table setters" of an offense. Junior Jim Topps and senior Jason Kanzler, who bat first and second for the baseball team, prepared the Bulls' offense for a feast last weekend.
The Bulls (14-12, 4-2 Mid-American Conference) continued their impressive start in MAC play by taking two out of three at Western Michigan (9-17, 4-2 MAC). The Bulls recorded 30 hits over the weekend, including two 12-hit performances.
Kanzler went 4 for 11 in the series with three extra-base hits and five runs batted in (RBI), raising his average to .368 to go with his six home runs on the season. Topps finished the weekend with five runs scored and went 3 for 12 at the plate.
"[Kanzler's] leading the conference in a lot of offensive categories right now, but that's what we expected from him," said head coach Ron Torgalski. "We expected him to be back as a senior this year and lead us offensively, and he's been doing that. When he's going, it really makes our offense go pretty well."
Buffalo took the first game of the series 10-3 behind a six-run sixth inning in which the entire lineup appeared at the plate. Eight of the nine starters recorded at least one hit and all nine reached base in the victory.
Kanzler and Topps, along with junior outfielder Thomas Richards and junior catcher Kyle Figgins, each had two RBI in game one. Richards batted .400 (4 for 10) in the three-game series and sophomore pitcher Mike McGee earned his second victory of the season, his second straight quality start.
After a strong victory on Friday, the Bulls struggled offensively in the first game of a Saturday doubleheader. Topps and Kanzler picked up where they left off Friday night as they combined for five of the six Buffalo hits, but the Bulls dropped the second game 4-3.
Kanzler had three extra-base hits and three RBI, and Topps scored all three runs for the Bulls. Since Topps' move from the ninth spot to leadoff, he has sparked the offense.
"He can make things happen," Torgalski said. "He can bunt for a base hit, slaps it to the opposite field and he runs well. Being from the left side really makes the defense adjust. He's a big part of the offense because he gets everything rolling. He's done a real good job at the top of the order. He's seeing a lot of pitches, making pitchers work and he's been a big surprise for us."
In the final game of the weekend, Buffalo chased Western Michigan's starting pitcher Patrick Borlik out of the game after a four-run first inning. Topps began the game with a leadoff walk before being driven in by senior first baseman Alex Baldock's single.
Junior pitcher/shortstop Mike Burke improved his record to 4-1 after his victory in the third game. He struck out three hitters over 6 1/3 innings. After Burke allowed three of the first four hitters to reach base in the seventh, Torgalski pulled Burke out of the game for senior closer River McWilliams - who pitched the remainder of the game, allowing only one hit, and earned his fifth save of the season.
"[Leaving with the lead] was huge for us," Torgalski said. "We limited them as they had a chance to really swing the momentum and River came in - as he normally does all year in a tight situation - and nine times out of 10, he gets the job done for us. He's got a great presence and he's not afraid to challenge guys; he goes right at them and gets us out of jams."
Freshman third baseman Tyler Mautner had two doubles in the 7-5 game-three victory and finished the weekend 4 for 13 at the plate with three runs and two RBI. Senior second baseman Jon Mestas led Buffalo with five hits over the weekend.
With each passing game, the Bulls gain more confidence as a team.
"To take two out of three in Western Michigan in their own park has to be a big confidence builder for us," Torgalski said. "You gain momentum, more confidence and our guys believe every time they step out there: 'Hey, we have a chance to win a game out here.' We aren't going in and thinking we have to play our best game of the year if we are going to win."
The Bulls will host Toledo (10-14, 3-3 MAC) in their first true home game of the season at Audubon Field across the street from UB North Campus. First pitch is set for Friday at 3 p.m.
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