NCAA Baseball Ohio Bobcats at Buffalo Bulls

With just nine conference games left Buffalo is a game and a half in front of Kent in the East and just a half game over NIU in the race for the MAC's top seed. The game cancelled against Akron effectively cost UB a three game lead as the Bulls have a tie breaker over Kent that they will now be unable to use in a half game situation.

There is still two big series left for Buffalo against Miami and Bowling Green but before UB gets to those games they have to play the Bobcats.

OU has really struggled to get wins this season but they have the tools to jump up and bite a team that overlooks them.

At the plate Jake Madsen is one of the best batters in the league. He is batting 340, leads the conference in doubles. He is also is ranked 60th in all of college baseball in hits. In addition to Madsen OU's has a trio of prodigious bean eaters to put runners on base.

Kyle Dean, Nick Squires, and Nate Squires are each reaching base on a hit pitch about once every three games. Between the three of them OU has put 38 runners on base. An easy setup for Madsen if they do it early in an inning.

Buffalo seems to be over a slight hitting lul that hurt them against Canisius, Kent, and Niagara. UB got their bats going last weekend against Ohio before finally getting a Big4 win against the Griffs this week.

Alex Baldock and Tyler Mautner are each ranked third doubles during conference play and Jason Kanzler has three home runs in conference play.

What separates these teams is pitching. The UB trio of Mike Burke, Anthony Mangovney, and Mike McGee have given the Bulls a potent attack for their weekend conference games. Ben Hartz has been spectacular in the role of long reliever and River McWIlliams has been UB's core closer setting a team record of 10 saves.

Ohio is giving up almost six runs per game, in fact they are the only MAC team to which is giving up 100 or more runs this season against MAC teams. Their two main pitchers are Marck Paliotto and Jake Miller who each lead the NCAA in starts.

While Buffalo is playing the bobcats they will be keeping an eye on Kent who is playing Central Michigan and Northern Illinois who takes on Toledo. If the Bulls can take care of business then maybe the Chips or Rockets can help them stretch the lead.