Four teams, two days, one winner.
This Tuesday, Western New York's highest caliber collegiate baseball teams face off at Dunn Tire Park to decide who will get a year of local bragging rights.
In day one of the tournament, UB will meet the Niagara Purple Eagles at 3 p.m. Niagara and Buffalo have faced each other twice this year - each team taking one victory.
Following the Bulls and Purple Eagles, the perennial powerhouse St. Bonaventure Bonnies will battle the Canisius Golden Griffins. The Bonnies have beaten the Griffs team in all four meetings this season.
The championship clash will be held Wednesday following the consolation game, which begins at 3 p.m. in Dunn Tire Park.
The games will give the local Division I teams a chance to show the area their talent, as well as create rivalries and competition between the local teams.
"The Big Four Baseball Classic provides a unique opportunity to showcase the tremendous caliber of collegiate baseball being played in Western New York," stated Jon Dandes, President of Rich Baseball Operations on PurpleEagles.com. "The Buffalo Bisons are delighted to be associated with this local college baseball event."
The UB Bulls come into the tournament with a record of 9-24 (2-7 Mid-American Conference). Buffalo has had a little success recently, as they have taken games from Ohio and St. Bonaventure in the past week. The blue and white's offense is led by junior Joe Mihalics and sophomore James Kingsley, who have combined for 48 RBI's this season.
The UB pitching staff has had a rough season thus far and will have to step up in order to hold off the Niagara offensive attack.
Niagara comes to the tournament with an overall record of 14-18, but has lost three of their last four games. The Eagles have faced Buffalo twice this season, with both games decided by only one run.
Ryan Virtue pitched a strong game to hold off the Bulls to giving Niagara the victory in the first meeting of the teams. Buffalo won the second match up between the two teams behind the bat of Al Barbato, whose homerun in extra innings gave Buffalo an 8-7 victory.
St. Bonaventure comes into the Big Four Tournament as the potential favorite, boasting a record of 15-16 overall, (6-6 Atlantic-10). The Bonnies will be looking to regain some momentum after three straight losses to Rhode Island, and being on the wrong side of a no-hitter in their last contest.
Bona's head coach Larry Sudbrook is in his 19th year and has had ample success in the Atlantic-10 Conference, winning two A-10 East Division titles in the past four years.
"We are excited to join Buffalo, Canisius and Niagara for the Big 4 Baseball Classic next spring," Sudbrook stated on PurpleEagles.com. "We always have very competitive games against our fellow Big 4 schools and this format should only add to that. Our players are especially looking forward to competing in Dunn Tire Park. We thank the Bisons and Rich Baseball Operations for helping make this event a reality."
The Canisius Golden Griffins have been struggling this year, with an overall record of 2-28. Nonetheless the Griffs can be expected to take field in an attempt to gain some respect from their Western New York rivals.
"It has always been an exciting rivalry when Canisius plays against the University at Buffalo, St. Bonaventure and Niagara, but it will be even better this year as part of a Big Four baseball tournament," Canisius head coach Mark Notaro stated on PurpleEagles.com. "We're pleased with the opportunity to play at Dunn Tire Park and hope we can help provide the fans in Buffalo some entertaining college baseball."
The Games begin on Tuesday April 27 at 3 p.m. Canisius and St. Bonaventure will take the field at Dunn Tire Park following the conclusion of the Bulls and Niagara Purple Eagles.
