Sports - The Spectrum

SPORTS

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

By BEN TARHAN | May 24, 2013

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.

SPORTS

"Baseball narrowly misses 1 seed; Kanzler, Torgalski win awards"

By BEN TARHAN | May 21, 2013

The baseball team sat two outs from clinching its first-ever Mid-American Conference regular season title and the No.

SPORTS

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

By BEN TARHAN | May 14, 2013

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

By BEN TARHAN | May 5, 2013

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

Apr. 28, 2013

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

By JOE KONZE JR | Apr. 28, 2013

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

By BEN TARHAN | Apr. 28, 2013

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

By Tom Dinki | Apr. 25, 2013

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

Women's club rugby team on its way to Final Four

By JOE KONZE JR | Apr. 25, 2013

There is a row of 10 players holding rucking pads - blocking shields - ready to absorb a hit. Coach shouts "Fire" and 10 other players rush toward the bags. Thud, grunt.

SPORTS

On the road again

By BEN TARHAN | Apr. 25, 2013

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.

SPORTS

Carving her future

By JOE KONZE JR | Apr. 23, 2013

Alexis White could not comprehend what the doctor had just told her. Her eyes were wide but her stare was blank.

SPORTS

Quarterback meets NFL

By Tom Dinki | Apr. 23, 2013

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

By BEN TARHAN | Apr. 23, 2013

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

By OWEN O'BRIEN | Apr. 23, 2013

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"

By BEN TARHAN | Apr. 21, 2013

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

By JON GAGNON and TOM DINKI | Apr. 21, 2013

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

By MEG LEACH | Apr. 21, 2013

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.

SPORTS

Spoiled homecoming

By OWEN O'BRIEN | Apr. 21, 2013

What began as a festive day for Buffalo softball, in which four seniors were honored and the team's first game at UB in 21 days, ended in defeat. The Bulls (12-26, 5-9 Mid-American Conference) dropped both games of a doubleheader on Sunday to Northern Illinois (18-26, 7-7 MAC). After a five-game winning streak just a little over a week ago, Buffalo has lost four of its last five games. Junior second baseman Sammi Gallardo and junior Heather Ryder led the Bulls offensively with three hits each in the two games.

SPORTS

Bulls lose home finale on Senior Day

By JON GAGNON and TOM DINKI | Apr. 21, 2013

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

Former walk on tries beating the odds again

By JOE KONZE JR | Apr. 18, 2013

A local athlete's dream of playing in the National Football League is in the hands of the Buffalo Bills. Former UB point guard Byron Mulkey has another chance to pursue his lifelong dream of playing professional football.