Every person who has ever played baseball has the same dream. It doesn't matter if it's Aaron Boone hitting a monster home run in the American League Championship series, or Johnny Little League playing on a Saturday morning - a game-winning home run is about as good as it gets.
Late Wednesday afternoon at Buffalo's home stadium, Audubon Field, Al Barbato got to experience just how good a game winner feels.
In the bottom of the ninth in game two of Wednesday's double-header against Niagara, Barbato stepped up to the plate in hopes of making up for getting picked off first base in the seventh.
Barbato made up for it in a big way.
"I had to redeem myself with that poor base running," said Barbato. "I saw that inside fastball and I hopped on it, I was waiting for it."
The solo shot gave the Bulls a much needed 8-7 victory.
UB was down a run in the top of the first, but managed to tie the game. They took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second inning on a sacrifice fly by Dan Quinn, which scored Steve Legrett.
Niagara regained the lead in the top of the third, scoring three runs, the last two from a Mike Alati triple. UB managed to score a run in the bottom of the third cutting the deficit to 4-3.
Niagara tacked on another run in the next inning, giving them a 5-3 lead.
Then the Bulls were let out of the pen.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, with two outs, Joe Mihalics beat out a ground ball in true "Charlie Hustle" fashion, scoring one and keeping the comeback alive. Senior James Kingsley then poked a two-run double into left field, giving the Bulls the lead at 6-5.
UB couldn't keep Niagara off the boards, however. They answered in the next inning, taking the lead on an error by the Bulls in shallow left field.
Buffalo couldn't get anything going in the sixth inning, but put on their rally caps for the seventh. Joe Mihalics hit his second triple of the game, and scored on an Andrew Wengert ground ball bobbled by the Niagara pitcher. Mihalics's run tied the game and sent the game to extra innings.
Behind the pitching of Dave Brozyna, the Bulls held the Purple Eagles scoreless, giving Barbato a chance to redeem himself for prior mistakes. Barbato took advantage of the opportunity and hit his first round-tripper of the season, winning the game for the Bulls. Brozyna was credited with the win, making him 2-1 on the season.
UB wasn't as fortunate in the first game, however, as they found themselves on the wrong side of a one-run game, downed by the Purple Eagles 5-4.
Powered by the pitching of undefeated freshman southpaw, Ryan Virtue, Niagara held on to give Buffalo their 18th loss of the season.
Buffalo's seventh inning rally proved to be too little, too late.
Barbato scored on an Andrew Wengert sacrifice fly, and James Kingsley's base knock scored Joe Mihalics, cutting Niagara's lead to one run. The Bulls were unable to bring in any more runs, however and ended the first game in a loss.
Buffalo freshman pitcher Joe Welch was credited with the loss, after giving up two runs in one third of an inning pitched.
In upcoming action, the Bulls will be facing the Bowling Green Falcons Friday, Saturday and Sunday at home. Bowling Green comes to UB with an overall record of 14-6. Coming off a close victory over Detroit-Mercy, the Falcons will be flying into UB with quite a bit of momentum.
The Bulls will host the Falcons Friday at 3 p.m. on the Amherst Audubon Field, with action to continue on Saturday and Sunday. Game time is 1 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
