ROCHESTER, N.Y.- Western Michigan watched Buffalo erase a late deficit for the second day in a row, falling to the Bulls Saturday, 5-4. The Bulls also took game one of this weekend's three-game series Friday, 7-6.
Western Michigan and Buffalo traded runs in the fourth and fifth innings in Saturday's game two. The Broncos then took a 4-1 lead with three runs in the sixth. Buffalo tied the game with three runs in the eighth and claimed the win on Matt Pollock's one-out walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth.
Brandon Cable had two RBIs for Western Michigan, hitting an RBI single in the fourth and a sac fly in the sixth.
Vinnie Booker and
Dan Shutes also drove in a run for the Broncos in the sixth. Booker smacked a double to right center and Shutes singled to center field. Shutes went 2-for-4 in the game.
Western Michigan starter
Chad Mayle kept his perfect record in conference play unblemished, going 7.1 innings in a no decision. He was touched for eight hits, four runs (three earned), walked two and struck out two. Sophomore RHP
Pat Haynes (1-1) was summoned from the bullpen with one away in the eighth and would be charged with the loss.
Western Michigan had nine hits in the game, while Buffalo collected 12. Four different Bulls had two hits apiece. UB right-handed reliever Mike Kaelin (2-1) held WMU scoreless over the final 2.1 innings to earn the win.
“I am so proud of our guys as they battled their tails off today,” said WMU head coach
Billy Gernon. “We played a very good game as we pitched it well and played good defense, we just go beat. Our determination and competitive spirit is unlike any team I have ever coached and I have been fortunate in that area. I expect something good to happen tomorrow.”
Western Michigan (13-17, 4-7 MAC) will look to avoid a series week tomorrow, facing Buffalo (15-12, 6-4 MAC) in the series finale Sunday at 1 p.m. This weekend's contests are being played in Rochester at Monroe Community College's Tribune Field, due to unplayable conditions at UB's Amherst Audubon Field.
