UNION CITY, Tenn. – The University at Buffalo baseball team (1-2, 0-0 MAC) fell in dramatic fashion on Sunday afternoon as the UT Martin Skyhawks earned the 4-3 walk-off win in the bottom of the ninth.
After getting two runners on in the opening inning and not scoring a run, the Skyhawks were able to put a pair on in the second inning again but UB starting pitcher Shawn Dubin struck out Josh Hauser to end the threat.
UB wasn’t able to break through in the top of the fourth but the Skyhawks struck for the first runs of the game. UT Martin notched back-to-back singles to open the inning before scoring an unearned run on a Buffalo error. Tyler Albright then hit a deep sacrifice fly to right field to score Connor Aube as the Skyhawks took the 2-0 lead through four innings.
Buffalo didn’t waste much time responding as they exploded for three runs in the top of the fifth to take the 3-2 lead. Kyle Brennan opened the inning with a single to right field before Brian Wasilewski brought him around to score with a RBI double to right center. Brian Dudek then stepped in and singled to left field to move Wasilewski to third and he advanced to second on a wild pitch. Senior Alex Thrower then picked up a pair of RBI with a single to right field, giving UB the 3-2 lead.
Ben Vey entered the game in the bottom of the fifth inning and provided the Bulls with three scoreless innings in relief as he only allowed two hits and struck out one batter while throwing strikes at a high rate.
UB threatened in the sixth inning as Brennan and Wasilewski notched back-to-back singles but the bats went cold and couldn’t produce any insurance runs for the Bulls.
After a pair of scoreless innings, Buffalo closer Logan Harasta entered the game in the eighth inning and made quick work of the Skyhawks as he earned a pair of ground outs and a strikeout.
Unfortunately for the Bulls, the ninth wasn’t as smooth for Harasta as the Skyhawks were able to walk-off with the win. Creighton Eldridge opened the ninth with a walk and he moved to second after a sacrifice bunt. Albright then tied the game, 3-3, with a RBI single to right field. Harasta then walked a pair of batters to load the bases and the game-winning run came around to score on Buffalo’s second error of the game.
Wasilewski collected his second career multi-hit game as he finished off his afternoon going 2-for-4 with a double, a RBI and a run. Brennan had a strong day at the plate as he went 2-for-4 with a run scored while Thrower went 1-for-4 with two RBI in the loss.
Dubin finished off his day on the mound going 4.0 innings while allowing seven hits, two runs, one earned run and three strikeouts. Vey continued his strong start out of the bullpen as the junior pitched three scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and one strikeout.
Buffalo will return to the diamond next weekend as they will start a three-game series at Murray State. The first game of the series will take place on Friday at 3:00 pm followed by 1:00 pm starts on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
from UBBulls.com via IFTTT
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