NCAA Baseball Buffalo Bulls at Miami RedHawks

From this point on in the season I reserve the right to call this "The Biggest game in modern UB Baseball History" because, unless Kent and NIU completely collapse UB can lose just one game and still hold a lead in the conference. The pressure is going to be even bigger because UB's last six conference games are on the road against capable teams who themselves are fighting for a spot in the MAC tournament.

This weekend UB will take on the Miami Redhawks, who at one point this season looked to be the beasts of the east. Miami was cruising until the hit a roadblock names Kent . Up until that series they were two games up on both the Bulls and the Flashes. Despite cooling off a bit Miami is only 4.5 games out of first with three against the Bulls, and just three games out of second place in the conference.

This series boils down a great offensive team versus a great defensive team. While UB occasionally gets great production at the plate success for Buffalo comes from the mound. Miami usually wins shootouts.

Anthony Magovney won his second MAC East Pitcher of the week award for his work against Ohio. It was the fourth time this season UB has produced a pitcher of the week. Hartz has been solid in long relief and McWilliams has owned the last inning or tow of too many UB games to list.

The one thing UB has going for them at the plate, aside from Jason Kanzler who is easily ALL Mac first team this year, would be that UB can get production from just about anyone. Not consistent production mind you but in a given game any stretch of the order can hurt you. The Bulls have been saved several times by the bottom of the order this year.

The Redhawks don't have any consistency problems. Miami's John Crummy is batting 357, and Matt Honchel is scoring almost one run per game, largely because of his 15 steals. Kevin Bower and Dan Walsh are among the best extra base hitters in all of NCAA baseball.

Their best option on the mound is Brooks Fiala who is among the top 200 or so pitchers in many categories including ERA, Strikeouts, walks, and WHIP.

..