Published: May 01, 2008 12:57 am            

COLLEGE ROUNDUP (May 1): Niagara baseball falls in Big 4 final

The Niagara University men’s baseball team got out to a quick start, but watched St. Bonaventure score nine unanswered runs en route to a 9-2 decision over the Purple Eagles in the championship game of the Big Four Classic, held Wednesday in Olean.

Frank Kurnik’s two-out double brought home Tim Alberts and Harrison Harber for the Purple Eagles in the first inning, but NU couldn’t muster any more offense after that.

Bill Rafferty took the loss for Niagara (18-22).

Lockport’s Josh Sova hit a home run to lead the Bonnies (21-19).

n Five Golden Griffins, including Niagara Power star Alec Cabello, had two hits as Canisius tripped UB in the consolation game of the tournament. Kevin Mahoney and Branson Joseph each drove in two runs for the Griffs (32-10) while Brian Burton, Perry Silverman and Cabello added two hits.

After a scoreless seventh, Buffalo scored a pair in the top of the eighth to tie the game, 5-5. Karstedt hit a two-run double to center, scoring Kenmore East product Nick Walczak.

St. Joe’s Chaz Mye pitched the final two innings and took the loss, which dropped the Bulls to 13-29 on the season.

SOFTBALL

Miranto paces Canisius to win

North Tonawanda’s Katie Miranto had three hits as Canisius rallied to beat St. Bonaventure 3-2, giving the Griffins 18 wins in their last 20 starts. Canisius stands at 31-12 on the season.

n Senior Mary Russell had six hits, seven RBIs and a pair of home runs as the University at Buffalo beat Syracuse in both ends of a doubleheader, 13-5 and 7-2. Kristen Gallipani added a home run and four RBIs while Lindsay Hampton added five hits on the day for the Buffalo (7-31).

        

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