BUFFALO — Buffalo’s baseball team struggled early this season, losing five straight, including two shutouts.
However, since then, the Bison have racked up wins in six of their last eight games.
Buffalo is trying to gather some momentum before the middle of the season approaches and did just that on Wednesday, winning its third straight game.
Anthony Pitchford threw a one-hitter as the host Bison picked up a 5-0 shutout victory over the Nitro Wildcats.
“This game helps us moving forward,†Buffalo (6-7) coach Ron Arthur said. “Every game, win or lose, we’re going to play hard and do the little things right. We’re going to hustle on and off the field, honor America during the national anthem and give glory to God for every single thing that we do.
“When you do the little things, you should feel like you can’t lose on the field. You should be able to play confident and not be afraid to mess up.â€
Nitro falls to 2-9 and has lost its last four games.
The Bison won both meetings with the Wildcats this season by a combined 11-3.
“We’re super-young,†Nitro coach Will Samuel said. “Pitchford pitched us backwards all night. He started us off with breaking balls to get ahead in the count, then beat us with his fastball. We just haven’t seen that all year. We have faced some hard throwers but no one that’s pitched us backwards.â€
Pitchford struck out 10 batters in his complete-game one-hitter, with three walks. The only Nitro hit Pitchford allowed came in the fourth inning by Noah Ross.
Pitchford closed the game by striking out five of the last nine batters.
“What I love is that he was patient with me at the beginning of the season,†Arthur said. “He’s a confident pitcher. There were times when I was holding him to a lower pitch count, and we would just grow it little by little each outing. Now, I’m not afraid to ride with him because he’s really good.
“He came back from a significant injury last year by dealing with Tommy John surgery and didn’t pitch last year. He’s come back and has been good to coach.â€
The Bison got their first two runs home in the third inning as Luca Signorini tripled to right-center field, scoring Caiden Craig and Evan Panaro.
Hunter Rutan drove home Signorini from third to make it 3-0.
The Wildcats had a prime opportunity to close their deficit in the top of the fourth inning but left runners at the corners after a Jake Snyder flyout.
“We’re killing ourselves with runners left on base,†Samuel said. “Last night, we left, I think, 15 runners on at Winfield and only scored four runs and lost by one. It’s just a lack of experience for us.â€
The Bison scored their final two runs in the bottom of the sixth when Panaro doubled home Nate Gillispie and Craig.
Craig excelled in the leadoff position for Buffalo on Wednesday, finishing the game 3 for 4, with three singles.
“He’s got great speed,†Arthur said. “Any time he gets a ground ball to the left side, he is a problem. He gets out of the box faster than anyone I’ve ever coached.â€
NITRO 000 000 0 — 0 1 1
BUFFALO 003 002 x — 5 14 2
Top hitters: (B) Craig 3-4; Panaro 2-4, 2B. (N) Snyder 1-3.
