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Matt Pollock's Clutch series against Western Michigan garnered him MAC East player of the week honors. Pollock batted a torrid .538 during a UB sweep of the Bronco's. On Friday, he sparked the team’s comeback in an 8-7 win, driving in the tying run in the bottom of the ninth and serving as the winning run to cap off a three-hit, three-run game. He would play an even bigger role in the team’s 5-4 win the next afternoon, driving in a run in the bottom of the eighth, then winning the game with a one-out RBI single to bring around the winning run from third.
For UB to succeed this weekend Pollock may have to once again be a hero.
UB is now two and a half games back of Kent and three and a half back of Akron. If Buffalo wants any chance of winning the Mid American Conference's eastern division the Bulls have to win this series.
Kent State sits at (23-12, 9-3 MAC) and are trying to keep pace with Akron. Buffalo (16-12, 7-4 MAC) used a sweep of Kent last season to propel themselves into the heat of the conference title race. Counting last seasons sweep Buffalo is still only 5-40 all time against the Flashes. Since UB joined the MAC Kent has swept the Bulls nine times.
Kent comes into the game ranked 19th among NCAA teams in triples and triples per game, 23rd in batting average and scoring, 24th in being hit by pitch and 25th in doubles per game. UB Will open up with Kevin Hughes and then follow up with Anthony Magovney who is still undefeated, and then close out with Mike Burke.
In terms of starting pitching power UB lines up well with Kent but
Friday, April 18
Kent State: #10 LHP Eric Lauer (7-1, 1.64 ERA, 39 SO, 15 BB, 8 GS, 49.1 IP)
Buffalo: #2 RHP Kevin Hughes (1-4, 3.71 ERA, 21 SO, 10 BB, 3 GS, 34.0 IP)
Saturday, April 19
Kent State: #32 RHP Nick Jensen-Clagg (3-1, 4.17 ERA, 37 SO, 8 BB, 7 GS, 41.0 IP)
Buffalo: #15 RHP Anthony Magovney (5-0, 1.97 ERA, 24 SO, 24 BB, 7 GS, 50.1 IP)
Sunday, April 20
Kent State: #30 LHP Brian Clark (3-6, 4.35 ERA, 31 SO, 19 BB, 9 GS, 49.2 IP)
Buffalo: #8 Mike Burke (5-2, 1.95 ERA, 53 SO, 14 BB, 8 GS, 60.0 IP)
The two teams will face off Friday and Saturday at 6:00pm and Sunday at 1:00pm at Schoonover Stadium. Friday will be Greek Night at the ballpark. Sorrority and fraternity members can check in at the game and the organization with the most attendees will win a prize