Published: May 15, 2008 11:19 pm            

COLLEGE ROUNDUP (May 16): Niagara baseball splits with Canisius

Over the span of 19 innings Thursday at Sal Maglie Stadium, the Niagara baseball team played even with the top team in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, beating rival Canisius 3-2 in 12 innings in the opener, and losing the nightcap 2-1.

The Golden Griffins came in averaging more than eight runs per game, but managed just eight hits in the two games.

“Our pitching was outstanding,” coach Chris Chernisky said. “Michael Kellar came up big in the first game and our relievers kept us in the game without allowing a hit in over five innings.”

Kellar allowed five hits and one earned run in 6 2/3 innings in the first game. Dennis Chachko gave up an unearned run in 2 1/3 relief innings, then Mark Sikorski earned his second win of the season, pitching three no-hit innings.

Matt Lucchesi lined a two-out, bases-loaded single to plate his former Skyline (Calif.) Community College teammate, Frank Kurnik, for the winning run.

Jonny Smith (Niagara-Wheatfield) led off the third inning with a single and later scored on a wild pitch to put the Purple Eagles up 2-1.

Brian Burton knocked in two runs with a single in the seventh inning to give Canisius a comeback win in the second game, and stay even with Manhattan for first place in the MAAC.

Daniel Morari “didn’t deserve the L,” Chernisky said, after the hurler retired 15 straight batters between the second and sixth innings.

Niagara (22-27) and Canisius (39-11) will meet again today at 1 p.m., after the Purple Eagles honor their nine graduating seniors.

“We want to bring home the series,” Chernisky said, “and send the seniors out in style.”

Buffalo 6, Ohio 3

Brian Randazzo and Shivam Bhan each had a pair of hits as the Bulls dropped the first game of their season-ending series. Jacob Rosenbeck (Medina) drew walk that scored Nick Walczak (Kenmore East). UB (13-37) hosts Ohio at 3 p.m. today, and finishes the season at 1 p.m. Saturday.

        

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