Baseball: Buffalo Takes a Pair in DeKalb, NIU's Anderson Throws a Complete Game

On Friday the Huskies made us believe they were poised to break out of an early season slump that has seen them drop very quickly to the bottom of the MAC, when they took Game one of a three game series by the final of 15-9.

The Huskies counted for fifteen hits, and drew eight walks in what was to be a very short game for Bulls starter Mike MCgee. Mcgee (1-2) lasted only three innings before being pulled. He allowed seven runs (four earned) and four walks in that time. For the Huskies Anthony Andres (1-3) picked up the win, but it was far from an impressive performance. Andres allowed five runs on four hits, while walking two.

Justin Fletcher collected four hits, and two runs batted in, while fellow teammate and first basemen Alex Klonowski chipped in two hits and a pair of runs batted in.

The Bulls rallied with nine runs of their own, but it was too little too late in the effort. Third basemen Mike Burke collected three hits and a run batted in during the loss.

In games two and three it was all about the pitching. Bulls starter Anthony Magovney tossed six innings allowing one run on three hits, and five walks. Magovney (5-0) was able to consistently strand base runners all game long while lowering his season earned run average (ERA) to 1.34. On the other side Eli Anderson pitched a great game for the Huskies. He allowed three runs on eight hits and two walks in a complete game. Anderson (1-3) was a tough luck loser as run support was tough to come by in the game after the Huskies' 15-run explosion.

For the Bulls, Matt Pollock had the key hit when he delivered a two-run single in the first inning.  The Huskies would score their lone run on a bases loaded walk in the seventh.

The final game showed us more great pitching as the Bulls sent Mike Burke to the hill. Burke (2-1) tossed a gem. He struck out ten walked three and allowed four hits in a 7-inning performance. He also saw his ERA drop to 1.00. Alex Kianowski pitched equally as well for the Huskies. Like his teammate Anderson, Kianowski (0-1) could not get any run support. Kianowski tossed seven strong innings allowing four hits, three walks, and three runs.

Buffalo took the lead in the fourth inning and would never look back. Tyler Mautner delivered an rbi single, and Matt Pollock would score on a Chris Kwitzer groundout.

The Bulls continued their surprising early season dominance, while the Huskies may have finally turned the corner on what has been a very rough start to the season. If the Huskies can find the bats they will be able to turn their season, and record around in MAC conference play. For the Bulls they just need to continue to perform. Right now they are a very rare team with three pitchers capable of being "Friday" starters.