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Tuesday, April 16, 2024
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Sports

SPORTS

2012-13 Athletics Year in Review: A coaching carousel

Describing Buffalo's 2012-13 athletic season in one word is a daunting task. It's much simpler to reflect on a key position throughout the Bulls' major sports - head coaches. The year included a questionable head coach extension and a firing three others, a successful rookie campaign and a Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year. A new contract for head football coach Jeff Quinn was a decision some in the community questioned.


SPORTS

Changing a culture

As a sixth grader, Michael Thomas found himself as the last line of defense between a former professional soccer player and the net while goalkeeping in his 18-year-old brother's men's league game. A shot was fired directly at him.


SPORTS

Most successful UB baseball season of all-time ends

The baseball team did what no one expected this season - winning 19 conference games and clinching the second seed in the Mid-American Conference - but could not fulfill its own expectations of winning a MAC championship. The Bulls (33-24, 19-7 MAC) took a surprising early exit last weekend at the MAC Tournament, taking their second loss of the tournament Friday to Toledo (25-33, 13-14 MAC), 4-1. After Buffalo lost its first game and won its second in the double-elimination tournament, the offense fell silent on day three. "The one thing I told them was: 'When we walk out of the park, we are going to walk out with our heads up high and be proud of what we accomplished this year,'" said head coach Ron Torgalski.


SPORTS

"Rain delays MAC Tournament, gives pitching staff needed rest"

Going into the Mid-American Conference tournament, head coach Ron Torgalski stressed the importance of the baseball team staying in the winners' bracket to avoid playing more games than necessary. The Bulls' (33-23, 19-7 MAC) pitching staff is not as deep as that of some other teams in the MAC, and Buffalo has relied heavily on five pitchers this season. The Bulls lost their opening game on Wednesday afternoon 12-10 to Toledo (23-31, 14-14 MAC) and, thus, fell out of the winners' bracket. Sophomore pitcher Anthony Magovney was roughed up, allowing four runs in four innings on seven hits and a walk. Freshman Ben Hartz and senior River McWilliams did not fare well, either, allowing eight runs combined, seven earned, in their five combined innings of work. UB's offense did its best to steal the game.


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SPORTS

"Baseball takes series from Miami Ohio, remains No. 1 in MAC"

The baseball team sits just three games away from history. After winning their eighth series in a row - upping their win total to 29, three shy of the overall school record - the Bulls (29-20, 17-6 Mid-American Conference) are just three games from clinching their first-ever MAC East title and the No.


SPORTS

Baseball falls one rally short of sweep

After two easy wins to start the weekend and with its ace on the mound Sunday, the baseball team appeared to be in a good position to sweep its third straight conference series. But uncharacteristic poor defense and wild pitching gave underdog Ohio (12-33, 7-14 Mid-American Conference) two leads late in the game, and although the Bulls (26-18, 15-5 MAC) rallied from behind twice earlier in the game, they could not overcome the final deficit.


SPORTS

The Specty's

As voted on by the fans Athlete of the year: Khalil Mack and Mike Burke (tie) The polling for athlete of the year ended in a tie between junior linebacker Khalil Mack and junior pitcher/shortstop Mike Burke.


SPORTS

Two Bulls headed to Tampa Bay following NFL Draft

On the third and final day of the 2013 NFL Draft, graduating Bulls defensive end Steven Means was outside, enjoying the gorgeous, 68-degree Buffalo day. For weeks, he had been waiting for his name to scroll across the screen, anxious to see if he would have a future in professional football. And then his phone rang. "It was a crazy feeling," Means said.


SPORTS

Baseball sweeps Zips in rain-shortened series

When sophomore pitcher Mike McGee was pulled in the bottom of the second inning in the series opener against Akron (9-31, 6-11 Mid-American Conference) on Friday night, the Bulls' streak of conference series-opening wins seemed to be very much in jeopardy. McGee allowed five runs in just an inning and two thirds and the Bulls (23-18, 13-4 MAC) trailed 5-1. But then Buffalo did what it has done all season.


SPORTS

Miles from home

Junior track star Miles Lewis might not have ever become UB's "top dog" if he hadn't accepted a challenge in middle school. A member of the track team challenged him to a race behind the school building.


SPORTS

On the road again

A little more than halfway through its conference schedule, the baseball team has already matched the school record for conference wins. The Bulls (21-17, 11-4 Mid-American Conference) have catapulted into first place in the MAC East division after a sweep of defending MAC champion Kent State (20-20, 9-6 MAC) last weekend. This season has been full of firsts for head coach Ron Torgalski's squad.


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SPORTS

Quarterback meets NFL

With graduation fast approaching - this issue of The Spectrum being its commencement issue - some seniors might be lamenting the end of their college lives and the uncertainty of what waits beyond it. One of the hardest aspects of leaving college, for some, might be losing a professor who has guided you every step of the way.


SPORTS

Breaking point

The men's tennis team's season ended last season in the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship game to Western Michigan. This season, the Bulls have an opportunity to end the Broncos' run in the first round of the tournament. The Bulls (9-9, 3-2 MAC) have earned the No.


SPORTS

Can't be kept down

The women's tennis team has proven to be most comfortable with its back up against the wall. The squad will be underdogs throughout the Mid-American Conference Tournament. After a 10-0 start to the season, the Bulls (13-4, 4-4 MAC) met adversity.


SPORTS

"Old, new faces shine in annual Blue-White Game"

When senior linebacker Khalil Mack watched senior running back Branden Oliver muff a punt for the White team, giving the Blue squad the ball on the White 20-yard line, one thought went through his head: He wanted to fight Oliver, his training partner and one of his closest friends. "He told me it's kind of difficult being back there and seeing the wind and all that type of stuff taking effect, and it was a windy day," Mack said.


SPORTS

Bulls lose home finale on Senior Day

The men's tennis team played for a Mid-American Conference regular season championship on Saturday. The Bulls (9-9, 3-2 MAC) were seeking back-to-back regular season conference titles as undefeated Ball State (16-7, 5-0 MAC) stood in their way, seeking a conference title of its own. Buffalo suffered an early loss in the doubles point and wasn't able to make it up in singles play, as it lost to the Cardinals 4-3. "The trouble came in the doubles, to win in the MAC you have to win the doubles point," said senior Vusa Hove. The doubles point was vital as they went on to split the singles matches 3-3.


SPORTS

Women's tennis clinches MAC Tournament berth

After having a strong start to the season, the women's tennis team had a worrying losing skid, driven by injury and bad luck. The Bulls (13-4, 4-4 Mid-American Conference) came out with two wins over the weekend against key MAC rivals, grinding out a 4-3 win over Eastern Michigan (9-13, 4-4 MAC) on Friday and a one-sided 6-1 victory over Toledo (8-11, 2-4 MAC) on Saturday, earning them a spot in the MAC Tournament. The weekend started with difficulty as the bulls took on Eastern Michigan in Yipsilanti, Mich.





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