Bowling Green State University
BUFFALO
BGSU Defeats Buffalo In Home Opener, 3-1
March 22, 2003 | Baseball
March 22, 2003
Bowling Green, Ohio - Bowling Green finally got the home portion of its 2003 scheduled started on Saturday at Warren Steller Field with a 3-1 victory over the University at Buffalo in the first Mid-American Conference contest of the season for either team. The Falcons are the defending 2002 MAC Champions.
BGSU used the third strong outing of the season by junior Kyle Knoblauch to keep the Bulls at bay while collecting key hits late in the game to get the win and snap a five-game losing streak.
Knoblauch (1-1) lasted eight innings, tying a season-high, while walking just one and striking out five. The right-hander gave up the one unearned run to keep his earned run average at 0.00 in 21 innings pitched this season (two walks, 12 strikeouts). Closer Neil Schmitz entered in the top of the ninth inning to record his first save of the season.
"It was another quality start," said BGSU coach Danny Schmitz. "Once we got him the lead he started rolling."
Knoblauch was in control the entire way, despite allowing Buffalo runners in scoring position in five of the eight innings. The one run that was scored by UB came in the top of the fifth inning. Andrew Wengert reached on a single to center field before Joe Mihalics laid down a bunt towards first base. Knoblauch's throw to first base was dropped by Spencer Schmitz, allowing Wengert to go to third base. He scored in the next at-bat when Phil Vanhorne flew out to right field for a 1-0 Buffalo lead.
The Falcons gained the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning with two runs. First, Nolan Reimold reached on a bunt single and advanced to second on an errant throw to first base. After Kelly Hunt was intentionally walked, Jeff Warnock sacrificed both runners into scoring position with a bunt and Nate Henschen reached on a fielder's choice. On the play, the shortstop threw home to catch Reimold, but his attempt was off target, allowing BGSU to tie the Bulls, 1-1. BGSU took the lead when Henschen was caught trying to steal second base, but Hunt trotted home for the 2-1 lead.
David Barkholz added to the BGSU advantage with a solo home run, his second of the season, in the seventh inning. Barkholz ended 3-for-3 at the plate with three putouts and an assist from his center field position when he doubled up a Buffalo base runner in the third inning at first base.
BGSU's original home opener was scheduled to be played this past Tuesday (vs. Tiffin) with another home game on Wednesday (vs. Detroit-Mercy). Both games were cancelled due to wet field conditions.
"It feels great (to play at home) and it feels great to get a 'W'," said Schmitz.
Buffalo dropped to 3-11 overall (0-1 in MAC), while BGSU moved to 2-7 overall and 1-0 in the MAC. Both teams will play again tomorrow, Sunday, at 1 p.m. at Warren Steller Field.
